12-13-2005, 03:15 AM
Islamophobia, Secularism, Terrorism and the Delhi blasts
One day after the deadly bombs, speculation is rife as to who the mastermind is. 61 lives and an unknown terrorist group, Inquilab, have claimed responsibility - but I wonder that this must be just cheap publicity for the new outfit.
Will the Indian Govt. step up its anti-terror strategies - it will for a few months, and then once again subside into lethargy.
Islamophobia is a new term coined after Muslim terrorism became a phenomenon like unusual weather. Many people in the West, who live in insular communities have reason for this kind of phobia, but it will never take root in India.
Most Indians, if not all, have Muslim friends and will continue to do so. There is no question of Islamophobia hence. But, the Govt. needs to be seriously worried if its capital is so insecure.
Will the Singh Govt. do anything or will it shy away in the name of secularism? Secularism is a bizarre thing in India, where it has a whole new meaning of âminority appeasementâ - will this stand in the way of fighting terror, which is mostly Islamic?
There is nothing wrong in calling black, black. UK has instituted many Muslim-specific measures after the July blasts - Muslim students in the country are monitored, Muslim visa applicants will find it more difficult to obtain one, an Imam or two has been deported etc.
Similarly in Netherlands - they now have a debate as whether to ban the burqa in public places in the country! While I agree that victimizing an entire community for the eccentricities of a minority is undesirable, it gives focus and narrows down the avenues for the Security forces to investigate, thereby improving the chances of nabbing the culprits.
Unfortunate as it may sound, the symptoms of terrorism can be tackled by force. But to deal with its underlying cause, more socio-political study is required. B Raman reasons out that this bombing is because of the recent cozying up to US. But to me it appears to have other fundamental causes.
45% of Muslims live in the Indian sub-continent - this statistic would have sounded OK in the previous decade, but geopolitics and religiopolitics have changed dramatically in the last few years. Oh, and read my earlier post on the tragedyâ¦
http://www.indiblog.com/categories/secular...vs-communalism/
One day after the deadly bombs, speculation is rife as to who the mastermind is. 61 lives and an unknown terrorist group, Inquilab, have claimed responsibility - but I wonder that this must be just cheap publicity for the new outfit.
Will the Indian Govt. step up its anti-terror strategies - it will for a few months, and then once again subside into lethargy.
Islamophobia is a new term coined after Muslim terrorism became a phenomenon like unusual weather. Many people in the West, who live in insular communities have reason for this kind of phobia, but it will never take root in India.
Most Indians, if not all, have Muslim friends and will continue to do so. There is no question of Islamophobia hence. But, the Govt. needs to be seriously worried if its capital is so insecure.
Will the Singh Govt. do anything or will it shy away in the name of secularism? Secularism is a bizarre thing in India, where it has a whole new meaning of âminority appeasementâ - will this stand in the way of fighting terror, which is mostly Islamic?
There is nothing wrong in calling black, black. UK has instituted many Muslim-specific measures after the July blasts - Muslim students in the country are monitored, Muslim visa applicants will find it more difficult to obtain one, an Imam or two has been deported etc.
Similarly in Netherlands - they now have a debate as whether to ban the burqa in public places in the country! While I agree that victimizing an entire community for the eccentricities of a minority is undesirable, it gives focus and narrows down the avenues for the Security forces to investigate, thereby improving the chances of nabbing the culprits.
Unfortunate as it may sound, the symptoms of terrorism can be tackled by force. But to deal with its underlying cause, more socio-political study is required. B Raman reasons out that this bombing is because of the recent cozying up to US. But to me it appears to have other fundamental causes.
45% of Muslims live in the Indian sub-continent - this statistic would have sounded OK in the previous decade, but geopolitics and religiopolitics have changed dramatically in the last few years. Oh, and read my earlier post on the tragedyâ¦
http://www.indiblog.com/categories/secular...vs-communalism/