By Abdul Rashid Agwan,
Terror trail is taking toll of human lives city after city. It is now affecting the entire country and becoming almost an indomitable threat to human lives, communal relations, economic progress and even political stability of the country. This calls for civil society, administration, media and law enforcement system to come up with some tangible solution.
The heavy reliance over the already rejected and brazenly misused ‘harsh laws’ as panacea would hardly serve any purpose as illustrated by the fact that there were more such incidents and loss of lives when such acts were in operation. This requires seeing the problem holistically and formulating some time bound strategy for its effective control.
It is a widely acknowledged fact that terrorism is not just a law and order problem. It is a social problem as well having roots in the sense of deprivation, discrimination and injustice. It is a political problem created by the ambiguity of mainstream parties and ‘interest-based’ radical hate groups and strengthened by vote bank politics amidst aggressive persuasion of cultural nationalism. It is a development issue since the unemployment and marginalisation of some sections provide breeding nurseries for it. It is a legal problem since it is leading to human rights violation on both the sides; from those who are perpetuating it and from those who are made responsible for tackling it. It is an international problem because various kinds of conspiracies are feeding it. Therefore, the problem demands some wise thinking on the part of all those who vehemently wish for its early solution.
The first and foremost step in this regard could be the ‘bounding of terrorism’. It means containing flare up of the problem to as smaller a magnitude as possible. This would require isolation of hardliners from the rest of society. It does not mean preventing those who are working or have been working on surface within general framework of the country but to narrow down the reach and influence of hardliners by giving as much space as possible for open debate on issues and perspectives raised by people showing dissatisfaction on the system and its establishment. Banning of law-abiding organisations in the name of their imagined sympathy with hardliners would be counterproductive. This has been proved true in case of Students Islamic Movement of India. Before ban it was perusing its objectives, may be radically, but within the legal framework. Some of its posters and slogans had definitely antagonised a large section of the country including Muslims and such stray cases were legally dealt with. But, when SIMI was unnecessarily banned under the global hype of ‘war on terrorism’ just after 9/11 tragedy; some of its hardliners or for that matter even others got the opportunity of misusing its name, influence and cadre to some extent for subversive end in spite the larger group seeking legal remedy for lifting of the ban and otherwise remaining inactive. However, the said misuse is yet to be proved beyond doubt and the matter is yet under investigation and sub judice in various courts. Unfortunately, just after the ban a large number of its cadre were arrested on the blame of being member of an outlawed organisation and not on any substantial activity which could attract provisions of the ban. Moreover, the ban has been extended over a large spell of time without any progress in the apex court as awaited by the banned outfit. This seeming ‘denial of justice’ has further confused the situation and provided some ill-intended people to take advantage of the meddled water. Therefore, what is required is to bound and pinpoint the act of perversion on the alleged part of the smaller faction and reduce its influence and reach by giving space to the larger group, which is fighting legal battle in the Supreme Court, to rejoin the national mainstream. This is possible even without banning the organisation and dealing with subversive activities in the sternest manner under the existing laws. Further extension of ban on SIMI would demoralise its law-abiding faction and would complicate the present rise of terrorism. Therefore, it is in the interest of the nation to narrow down the problem. Unfortunately, some sections of Indian polity seems hardly interested in resolving the problem rather they are pressurising the government to continue the ban on SIMI and extend it further to some more Muslim organisations, which are otherwise working within the constitutional framework. Although the other side of hardliners may not appreciate some of their views, but that is the hazard, nature and necessity of democracy.
The second step in this regard could be to start a process of dialogue and national debate on issues overwhelming the Muslim community at large. Some issues are constantly boggling Muslim minds such as discrimination in the development process as authenticated by Sachar Committee Report, early judicial remedy on Babri Masjid issue, execution on recommendations of various commissions, framing of cases against rioters of Maliana, Mumbai, Gujarat and other riots and their early judicial proceedings and the like. A reasonable treatment of these issues would reassure the failing faith of larger number of Muslims, particularly its youths, on the Indian democracy and it would cut through the supply line of terrorism. This process of dialogue could be even extended to those who are bent on subversive activities in vengeance. The nation has resolved or eased out similar problems of Chambal dacoits, militancy in Punjab, J&K and North East and the like through this wise process. Now, president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai is calling Mulla Omar back to his country. Then, why not it is tried in case of the present spurt of terrorism? After all, extremes on both the ends could never resolve an issue; rather they aggravate it further, leaving moderation as the only choice for the civil society. This is necessitated in the wake of heavy loss of precious and innocent lives, detention and arrest of several innocents along with some alleged ones, emerging communal tension, deteriorating international image of the country and as an imperative for peaceful coexistence.
The third step could be the enactment of suitable law as a deterrent. Many have argued about promulgation of a stern law as sure solution against terrorism; however, people of the country would like to see how it would not be misused as its earlier versions? Country is already ashamed of over 31,000 police atrocities a year. The demand for police reform is over due. Corruption has marred law enforcement system making it a tool of injustice rather than the otherwise. Muslims had faced overriding discrimination under TADA and POTA. So this is a valid question how the envisaged enactment is going to ensure the rule of law. A number of legislations in the country such as on dowry, girl infanticide, drug abuse, etc. have been proven futile in the absence of pubic awareness. Therefore, what is required is to create mass opinion against all sorts of hate groups and deal with the problem of terrorism under the existing laws. Even if some drastic laws are envisaged in the wake of rising violence in the country it should also include mob terror or communal disturbance under its preview. The impartial and just role of the state in controlling violence and hate campaign will not entail until both kinds of violence are clubbed under one law; otherwise it will be difficult to dispel the feeling that there is connivance to one brand of violence and imparting blame on its mere byproduct and reactionary outcome.
The country is passing through a very critical period and requires scrupulous and dispassionate approach for assuaging terrorism rather than making it evermore aggravated. If things are not taken judiciously than the whole nation may fall into a dark period of communal frenzy, chaos and civil war. It is a time to act and act reasonably.
Abdul Rashid Agwan is the President of Universal Knowledge Trust and can be reached at [email protected]