outlook Magazine, Dec 07, 2009
EXCLUSIVE cover story 1992 IB Reports
‘A Rehearsal Was Conducted...’
IB dispatches from Ayodhya belie the fact that the Centre was unaware of the crisis
by Chander Suta Dogra
If the Liberhan Commission has completely absolved anyone of responsibility for the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6, 1992, it is P.V. Narasimha Rao, the then prime minister, and the central government. In his 100-page conclusion, Justice M.S. Liberhan has devoted just one paragraph (160.9) to the role of the Centre which he says was crippled by the failure of the intelligence agencies in providing an analysis of the situation. Was the Narasimha Rao government really that uninformed about the ground realities at Ayodhya in the days leading up to the Babri demolition?
Outlook got exclusive access to secret reports from then prepared by top Intelligence Bureau officials, which were sent to the offices of the prime minister, then home minister S.B. Chavan and home secretary Madhav Godbole. These reports, sent on a daily basis, highlighted the grave situation unfolding in Ayodhya in the critical week before the demolition. The IB reports were also made available to the Liberhan Commission in 1994. But they don’t find any mention in the commission’s report. These IB dispatches clearly reveal that the Centre knew exactly what was happening at Ayodhya. Excerpts:
December 1, 1992
Status report by N.C. Padhi, joint director, IB (Para 5): “A report indicates the dispatch of a suicide squad trained in the use of firearms and explosives to Ayodhya from MP.... A meeting of Boudhik Manch started at 1015 hrs today near Sita Koop where speakers included Uma Bharati, Mahant Avaidyanath, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Acharya Dharmendra Dev and B.L. Sharma. Just before the start of the meeting, a group of four kar sevaks from Vidarbha went to the manch and enquired aggressively when they should blow up the Ram Janmabhoomi/Babri Masjid structure. Mahant Maharishi Tyagi said the structure should be removed before the construction of the temple and that too in a single stroke as such opportunities may not recur.” An indication of the impending demolition also came from a report about Murli Manohar Joshi’s speech at Mathura: “At Mathura he appealed to the gathering to assemble at Ayodhya in large numbers and for kar sevaks to demolish the so-called Babri Masjid.”
“Maharishi Tyagi said structure should come down in a single stroke...as such opportunities may not recur.”—N.C. Padhi, Jt Director, IB (Dec 1, ’92)
Padhi further noted: “Despite written advice by the Centre to regulate the number of visitors inside the shrine, this is not being done. Similarly, the number of people allowed to stay inside the complex is far too large for the inner cordon of policemen to handle without the use of strong force should they turn violent.”
Deputy director, IB, V. Rajagopal, also sent this input on the same day: “A procession of kar sevaks entered the RJB (Ramjanmabhoomi) complex singing songs, dancing and chanting slogans. They carried trishuls and lathis and raised provocative slogans.... The slogans were—Mandir ke nirman mein jo bhi ayega, Ramji ke samne jinda nahin jayega.”
December 2, 1992
Rajagopal’s report for the day: “Over one lakh kar sevaks are in Ayodhya and the movement of kar sevaks into the town continues. According to unconfirmed reports, balidan jathas (suicide squads) of young physically fit kar sevaks trained in handling firearms and explosives have been sent to Ayodhya from MP. They would remain around Ayodhya till December 5th and move into the town on December 6th. Besides protecting the kar sevaks against use of force on them by the security forces, they may also be utilised to demolish the disputed structure if the situation so warrants. Two ‘balidan jathas’ consisting of 10 sadhus each are reported to have left MP for Ayodhya who may sacrifice or self-immolate in case of confrontation between kar sevaks and security forces. A balidan jatha of 28 members is reported to have left from Aligarh on December 2.”
December 3, 1992
Rajagopal filed this input: “Reports from various quarters point to the possibility of miscreants smuggling explosives into the structure for triggering off a big explosion at the appropriate time. The DG of UP and dig of Faizabad have been apprised of the matter.”
Padhi’s intelligence inputs to Madhav Godbole, the then Union home secretary, talks of the cataclysmic situation that was unfolding in Ayodhya: “The kar sevaks were in a belligerent and aggressive mood and the atmosphere was surcharged. In the early hours of December 1, kar sevaks razed to the ground three graves in a dilapidated condition in the Ram Katha Kunj and set up a tea stall on the land. The district administration has erected a few wooden barricades inside the Ramjanmabhoomi complex...these barricades however are not strong enough to withstand pressure from a hostile and determined crowd.”
December 4, 1992
Padhi’s status report to the Union ministry of home affairs warned of inadequate security arrangements: “The continuing influx of people has further clogged the streets hampering movement of security forces and their vehicles. This hampers the response of the police in an emergency. The situation, logistics and mood and temper of the kar sevaks continues to be under tremendous strain.” Rajagopal also sent his assessment to the Union home minister and cabinet secretary: “The sale of trishuls has gone up and kar sevaks are moving in the town carrying them. One group of kar sevaks was carrying a spade and iron vessel to symbolise the resolve to do construction work. A lot of wall writings have come up in the night on the perimeter wall. These include “Talwar nikalenge mayan se, mandir banega shaan se. Duniya ki koi sarkar, Raghvendra ki sarkar se badi nahin.”
December 5, 1992
Reporting about the status on December 5, Padhi noted, “Congregation of kar sevaks at Ayodhya has swelled to 2 lakh of which 60,000 are at Ram Katha Kunj. The security arrangements are adequate up to the point where the large congregation is expected to maintain order and discipline. In case of a determined bid to violate the standing orders of the court the security arrangements would not meet the requirements of the situation.”
“Balidan jathas (suicide squads) have left MP for Ayodhya...they may sacrifice in case of a confrontation.”—V. Rajagopal, Dy Director, IB (Dec 2, ’92)
V. Rajagopal’s assessment should have been cause for alarm: “It is learnt that the organisers have decided to accommodate kar sevaks at Rudauli, Dariyabad and Suhawal near Faizabad to obstruct movement of paramilitary forces if and when they do so, by lying down on the roads.” And in paragraph 16 of his report, Rajagopal reports a telling incident: “A rehearsal was conducted in the Ram Katha Kunj on the procedure for the kar seva tomorrow. It is learnt that kar sevaks from various states would line up in two columns. Kar sevaks from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan would queue up in the left column in rows of 15 each. Kar sevaks from AP would be given first opportunity for kar seva.” In paragraph 19, he further notes: “Murli Manohar Joshi, addressing a public meeting at Shahjahanpur on December 4 and at Unnao on December 5, warned that since majority of kar sevaks at Ayodhya are from Andhra Pradesh and south India, if the kar seva is obstructed at the instance of the Centre, they would turn against the PM (who was from Andhra Pradesh).”
Quite evidently, both Narasimha Rao then, and Justice Liberhan later, turned a blind eye to these vital inputs which clearly reveal that the Centre was warned of the possibility of things going out of hand and the masjid being demolished
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Showing posts with label Suicide Squads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Suicide Squads. Show all posts
November 28, 2009
July 29, 2009
'Lashkar-e-Shivba' Hindutva suicide squads a la Lashkar-e-Taiba
[A 2002 report from The Times of India on 'the formation of 'Laskar-e-Shivba' - Hindu suicide squads moddled on Laskar-e-Toiba should interest readers.]
The Times of India
First suicide squad was set up in Pune 2 years ago
TNN 18 November 2002, 12:59am IST
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PUNE: Retired lieutenant-colonel Jayant Chitale is not the first Puneite to think of establishing Hindu suicide squads to fight terrorism unleashed by Islamic fundamentalists. The Lashkar-e-Shivba was formed two years ago with similar intentions. It primarily aimed at countering Lashkar-e-Taiba.
While the organisation is in tatters today, its founder and self-proclaimed commander-in-chief Vilas Tupe is bitter about his failed venture. ‘‘My experience of raising Hindu militant squads and sending them to Jammu and Kashmir was so bitter that I would like to forget it,’’ he said, while speaking to The Times of India. A small-time city builder now, Tupe wishes to forewarn Chitale that his attempt is doomed without money and political patronage.
Incidentally, Tupe is know for attempting to attack Osho Rajneesh with a knife in the 1980s. Tupe says he undertook the attack ‘‘because Rajneesh was a CIA agent.’’ Talking about his anti-terrorism venture, he said he was inspired to form his outfit after the attack on innocent Amarnath pilgrims in 2000. ‘‘We decided to reach those places from where bullets were being fired against Hindus and give a befitting reply to the terrorists,’’ he said. While he was planning to counter terrorism in Punjab in a similar manner, then director-general of Punjab police Julieo Ribero had suggested arming villagers and creating Gram Suraksha Dals, Tupe said. ‘‘We went to Punjab, met Ribero and offered ourselves for these Dals.
We even received training for three months at the BSF camps,’’ he claimed. However, the initiative failed as the Union home secretary objected to it, Tupe said. Tupe said after he announced the forming of Lashkar-e-Shivba, he received an overwhelming response from nearly 2,500 youths from Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur and Ahmednagar districts. Of these, 150 were shortlisted and trained after which ‘‘we left for Jammu to visit terrorist-infested districts’’.
The plan, however, was aborted after a month as we had no money or political support. Meanwhile, Lt Col Chitale, who has established the Hindustan Atma Ghatki Pathak (Hindustan suicide squad) said on Thursday that his squad was not specifically a Hindu squad. ‘‘We are forming Hindustan suicide squads and over 10 per cent of our volunteers are Muslim and Christians,’’ he claimed.
The Times of India
First suicide squad was set up in Pune 2 years ago
TNN 18 November 2002, 12:59am IST
|
PUNE: Retired lieutenant-colonel Jayant Chitale is not the first Puneite to think of establishing Hindu suicide squads to fight terrorism unleashed by Islamic fundamentalists. The Lashkar-e-Shivba was formed two years ago with similar intentions. It primarily aimed at countering Lashkar-e-Taiba.
While the organisation is in tatters today, its founder and self-proclaimed commander-in-chief Vilas Tupe is bitter about his failed venture. ‘‘My experience of raising Hindu militant squads and sending them to Jammu and Kashmir was so bitter that I would like to forget it,’’ he said, while speaking to The Times of India. A small-time city builder now, Tupe wishes to forewarn Chitale that his attempt is doomed without money and political patronage.
Incidentally, Tupe is know for attempting to attack Osho Rajneesh with a knife in the 1980s. Tupe says he undertook the attack ‘‘because Rajneesh was a CIA agent.’’ Talking about his anti-terrorism venture, he said he was inspired to form his outfit after the attack on innocent Amarnath pilgrims in 2000. ‘‘We decided to reach those places from where bullets were being fired against Hindus and give a befitting reply to the terrorists,’’ he said. While he was planning to counter terrorism in Punjab in a similar manner, then director-general of Punjab police Julieo Ribero had suggested arming villagers and creating Gram Suraksha Dals, Tupe said. ‘‘We went to Punjab, met Ribero and offered ourselves for these Dals.
We even received training for three months at the BSF camps,’’ he claimed. However, the initiative failed as the Union home secretary objected to it, Tupe said. Tupe said after he announced the forming of Lashkar-e-Shivba, he received an overwhelming response from nearly 2,500 youths from Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur and Ahmednagar districts. Of these, 150 were shortlisted and trained after which ‘‘we left for Jammu to visit terrorist-infested districts’’.
The plan, however, was aborted after a month as we had no money or political support. Meanwhile, Lt Col Chitale, who has established the Hindustan Atma Ghatki Pathak (Hindustan suicide squad) said on Thursday that his squad was not specifically a Hindu squad. ‘‘We are forming Hindustan suicide squads and over 10 per cent of our volunteers are Muslim and Christians,’’ he claimed.
December 17, 2008
Hindutva circuit will reap benefits of Mumbai Carnage . . .
Daily Times, November 17, 2008
Who benefits from Mumbai?
by Brian Cloughley
The problem for India — and for Pakistan — is that extreme Hindu nationalism has been fed mightily by the Mumbai murders. Zealots like Rajnath Singh are rubbing their hands and licking their lips because they want to get rid of decent men like Dr Singh
When notable incidents of violence occurred in the time of the Roman Empire two thousand years ago, the writer, philosopher and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero embarrassed some people by asking “Cui bono?” — “who benefits?” This is a wise question, because identification of those who might benefit from acts of terrorism can be interesting.
Let’s remind ourselves of the purposes of terror. The aims of these evil operations, whether they be conducted by assassination, suicide flights of airliners into buildings or tossing bombs at marketplace crowds, are basically the same: first, they are intended to sow fear among the inhabitants of the attacked city, region or country by killing people; then there is the aim of creating distrust of the government and authorities in general by the country’s citizens. Next is the objective of encouraging overreaction on the part of government, linked with the intention of generating or increasing international suspicion and hatred.
The overall goal is to cause instability, because terrorists thrive when people are confused, frightened, and distrustful of authority. When security precautions are increased dramatically in order to supposedly counter threats, this adds only to frustration and fury on the part of ordinary citizens. But terrorists are rarely affected.
How many terrorists have been caught in the US since the preposterous ‘Patriot Act’ in the US came into force? America had perfectly adequate measures in place to deal with terrorism before 9/11: the problem was incompetence, not lack of systems. But politicians have to be seen to be taking dramatic action, no matter how ludicrous or unproductive that might be.
Confusion breeds panic, and panic plays right into the hands of terrorists. And the sowing of even more panic seems to be the speciality of many politicians and others who engage their tongues before their brains. An idiot British Home Office minister, Lord West, declared recently that “another great plot [is] building up again” because of “a huge threat” from Al Qaeda. Just what his announcement was meant to achieve is beyond understanding, because if you’ve detected a plot the last thing you want to do is publicise the fact, thus letting the plotters know that you’re on to them. No: it was just the usual flatulence from a self-important fathead who felt he had to justify his position.
But India’s prime minister, a man of urbane commonsense, has taken things in his stride. Although understandably irate, his response has been measured. Certainly he has blamed Pakistan, without naming it, because his intelligence people have assured him that the ten terrorists came from Pakistan (but not that they were in any way officially sponsored by the government).
Some of his ministers have sailed closer to the wind, but, as reported by the Press Trust of India, “Rajnath Singh, the leader of India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) [the main opposition group], urged India to ‘avenge the repeated terror attacks’ by striking Pakistan, and declared that ‘There is a need to avenge the repeated assault on our people and democracy.’”
Rajnath Singh is the man who stated that the Indian police investigation of the Hindu extremists’ bombing in Malegaon in September was “a huge conspiracy” against Hindus, in spite of, or perhaps because of, the arrest of a serving army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Purohit, for involvement in planning the atrocity. Singh is also the man, according to the Indian magazine Frontline last year, who asked Indians to “give the BJP 10 years [in power]”, and declared that if this comes about, “by 2016 we’ll do away with this policy of appeasement of Muslims forever.”
So that’s the BJP agenda if they win the elections next May.
The problem for India — and for Pakistan — is that extreme Hindu nationalism has been fed mightily by the Mumbai murders. Zealots like Rajnath Singh are rubbing their hands and licking their lips because they want to get rid of decent men like Dr Singh and the equally cerebral Mr Palaniappan Chidambaram, who has just been appointed home minister in lieu of Mr Shivraj Patil, who took responsibility for the decidedly unstructured response to the attack and most honourably resigned. (British politicians please copy. Fat chance.)
Who benefits from the Mumbai slaughter? Certainly not India’s Congress-led coalition government, tottering as it is with shaky allies. Not the attackers, because all but one are dead, and he’ll never see the light of day again. And certainly not Pakistan, which has quite enough problems on its plate at the moment without getting involved in foreign forays. (According to the UN, some 1445 civilians were killed in Pakistan in the first eight months of 2008; about 800 by homegrown fanatics and the rest by illegal foreign airstrikes.)
So who, then, benefits?
One answer, unfortunately, is the BJP and its supporters in such sinister organisations as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and the Shiv Sena (SS). In November, the Independent reported the SS leader, Bal Thackeray, as having written that “The threat of Islamic terror in India is rising. It is time to counter the same with Hindu terror. Hindu suicide squads should be readied to ensure the existence of Hindu society and to protect the nation.”
All of these organisations looked with approval on the massacres of 2000 Muslims in Gujarat in 2002 and scores of Christians in Orissa this year. One fanatic of the Bajrang Dal paramilitary group involved in the Gujarat pogrom said proudly that “There was this pregnant [Muslim] woman, I killed her... They shouldn’t even be allowed to breed... Whoever they are, women, children, whoever...cut them down. Thrash them, slash them, burn them... The idea is, don’t keep them alive at all.”
These are dangerous, vicious extremists. And they all benefit from the Mumbai carnage. Which is bad news for the sub-continent.
Brian Cloughley’s book about the Pakistan army, War, Coups and Terror, has just been published by Pen & Sword Books (UK) and is distributed in Pakistan by Saeed Book Bank
Who benefits from Mumbai?
by Brian Cloughley
The problem for India — and for Pakistan — is that extreme Hindu nationalism has been fed mightily by the Mumbai murders. Zealots like Rajnath Singh are rubbing their hands and licking their lips because they want to get rid of decent men like Dr Singh
When notable incidents of violence occurred in the time of the Roman Empire two thousand years ago, the writer, philosopher and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero embarrassed some people by asking “Cui bono?” — “who benefits?” This is a wise question, because identification of those who might benefit from acts of terrorism can be interesting.
Let’s remind ourselves of the purposes of terror. The aims of these evil operations, whether they be conducted by assassination, suicide flights of airliners into buildings or tossing bombs at marketplace crowds, are basically the same: first, they are intended to sow fear among the inhabitants of the attacked city, region or country by killing people; then there is the aim of creating distrust of the government and authorities in general by the country’s citizens. Next is the objective of encouraging overreaction on the part of government, linked with the intention of generating or increasing international suspicion and hatred.
The overall goal is to cause instability, because terrorists thrive when people are confused, frightened, and distrustful of authority. When security precautions are increased dramatically in order to supposedly counter threats, this adds only to frustration and fury on the part of ordinary citizens. But terrorists are rarely affected.
How many terrorists have been caught in the US since the preposterous ‘Patriot Act’ in the US came into force? America had perfectly adequate measures in place to deal with terrorism before 9/11: the problem was incompetence, not lack of systems. But politicians have to be seen to be taking dramatic action, no matter how ludicrous or unproductive that might be.
Confusion breeds panic, and panic plays right into the hands of terrorists. And the sowing of even more panic seems to be the speciality of many politicians and others who engage their tongues before their brains. An idiot British Home Office minister, Lord West, declared recently that “another great plot [is] building up again” because of “a huge threat” from Al Qaeda. Just what his announcement was meant to achieve is beyond understanding, because if you’ve detected a plot the last thing you want to do is publicise the fact, thus letting the plotters know that you’re on to them. No: it was just the usual flatulence from a self-important fathead who felt he had to justify his position.
But India’s prime minister, a man of urbane commonsense, has taken things in his stride. Although understandably irate, his response has been measured. Certainly he has blamed Pakistan, without naming it, because his intelligence people have assured him that the ten terrorists came from Pakistan (but not that they were in any way officially sponsored by the government).
Some of his ministers have sailed closer to the wind, but, as reported by the Press Trust of India, “Rajnath Singh, the leader of India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) [the main opposition group], urged India to ‘avenge the repeated terror attacks’ by striking Pakistan, and declared that ‘There is a need to avenge the repeated assault on our people and democracy.’”
Rajnath Singh is the man who stated that the Indian police investigation of the Hindu extremists’ bombing in Malegaon in September was “a huge conspiracy” against Hindus, in spite of, or perhaps because of, the arrest of a serving army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Purohit, for involvement in planning the atrocity. Singh is also the man, according to the Indian magazine Frontline last year, who asked Indians to “give the BJP 10 years [in power]”, and declared that if this comes about, “by 2016 we’ll do away with this policy of appeasement of Muslims forever.”
So that’s the BJP agenda if they win the elections next May.
The problem for India — and for Pakistan — is that extreme Hindu nationalism has been fed mightily by the Mumbai murders. Zealots like Rajnath Singh are rubbing their hands and licking their lips because they want to get rid of decent men like Dr Singh and the equally cerebral Mr Palaniappan Chidambaram, who has just been appointed home minister in lieu of Mr Shivraj Patil, who took responsibility for the decidedly unstructured response to the attack and most honourably resigned. (British politicians please copy. Fat chance.)
Who benefits from the Mumbai slaughter? Certainly not India’s Congress-led coalition government, tottering as it is with shaky allies. Not the attackers, because all but one are dead, and he’ll never see the light of day again. And certainly not Pakistan, which has quite enough problems on its plate at the moment without getting involved in foreign forays. (According to the UN, some 1445 civilians were killed in Pakistan in the first eight months of 2008; about 800 by homegrown fanatics and the rest by illegal foreign airstrikes.)
So who, then, benefits?
One answer, unfortunately, is the BJP and its supporters in such sinister organisations as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and the Shiv Sena (SS). In November, the Independent reported the SS leader, Bal Thackeray, as having written that “The threat of Islamic terror in India is rising. It is time to counter the same with Hindu terror. Hindu suicide squads should be readied to ensure the existence of Hindu society and to protect the nation.”
All of these organisations looked with approval on the massacres of 2000 Muslims in Gujarat in 2002 and scores of Christians in Orissa this year. One fanatic of the Bajrang Dal paramilitary group involved in the Gujarat pogrom said proudly that “There was this pregnant [Muslim] woman, I killed her... They shouldn’t even be allowed to breed... Whoever they are, women, children, whoever...cut them down. Thrash them, slash them, burn them... The idea is, don’t keep them alive at all.”
These are dangerous, vicious extremists. And they all benefit from the Mumbai carnage. Which is bad news for the sub-continent.
Brian Cloughley’s book about the Pakistan army, War, Coups and Terror, has just been published by Pen & Sword Books (UK) and is distributed in Pakistan by Saeed Book Bank
June 27, 2008
Hindu Terrorists and Call for Suicide Squads
‘Hindu Terrorists’ and Call for Suicide Squads
Ram Puniyani
The bombs which exploded in Gadkari Rangayatan on
One recalls that in a serious case of blasts in Nanded in April 2006 two Bajrang Dal workers died when making bombs. Similar incidents of bomb blasts were witnessed in many places around that time, Parabhani, Jalna,
In most of the cases of blasts all over the country, as per the set pattern, the terrorists from across the border and local Muslims are presented as the culprits. For some days media carries the reports and some Muslims are apprehended. In case of Jaipur blasts the local Bangladeshis are being harassed to the limit as the report of Peoples Union for Civil Liberties shows. But after first few days the real culprits and the definitive investigation is no where in sight. By now, in popular psyche it has been entrenched that all terrorists are Muslims, and the matter stops there. The Maharashtra ATS needs all the compliments for overcoming the social stereotypes and biases to unravel the truth.
In the wake of this comes the call for formation of suicide squads by the self proclaimed Hindu Hriday Samrat (Emperor of Hindu Hearts) of
In the wake of the Thane blasts the HJS disowned those who were involved in the act, saying that they had nothing to do with the blasts and that they do want to protest against the play Amhi Pachpute, but peacefully. Nothing new, most of such organizations disown their trained cadre when caught in the act. Nathuram Godse, murderer of Mahatma Gandhi was quickly disowned by RSS. In an interview to Times of India in 1998, Nathuram's brother Gopal Godse did confess that his brother and he were always part of the RSS and that they did not show the RSS connection in the court to shield the parent organization. Dara Sing’s, murderer of Pastor Graham Stains, was part of Bajrang Dal, but this association could be undermined and bypassed in investigation.
How popular mind has been doctored into believing something becomes obvious from this act of terror. In a talk show, which took SMS poll at the same time, 97% respondents said that the organization involved in this blast (HJS) should not be banned. Bajrang Dal despite its involvement in Nanded case faced no wrath from the authorities. SIMI on the other hand was banned for its alleged involvement in acts of terror. A case of double standards has been ingrained into the society and has been institutionalized over a period of time.
After the dangerous and insane call given by Thackeray, the student wing of Shiv Sena has been putting the posters that they endorse their chief and that acts of terrorism are justified. Question is can the cancer of terrorism, which has multiple reasons be contained by suicide squads or by acts which Thackeray and his ilk is propagating. The cure of the disease lies in the underlying etiology. Broadly one can say that terrorism can fall in two major categories. One those which take place semi-spontaneously, after an individual or group perceives that a wrong, injustice has been done to her and that chances of getting justice for this are remote. These are the acts which occur after pogroms against a particular community. The example of this is the attack on Adivasi procession in December 2006 being followed by the blast in Guwahati Delhi Rajadhani express. The acts of terror occurring after the communal violence in Mumbai and
The second ones’ are the type where a conscious, calculated indoctrination is undertaken in pursuit of a political ideology or economic goal. Murder of Pastor Stains by Bajrang Dal’s Dara Singh, Nanded blasts, the Al Qaeda and its fall outs come in this category. In case of Al Qaeda US had set up/funded Madrassas to indoctrinate the Muslim youth so that they can be made to fight against the Communist armies in Afghnistan. They were also supplied with arms by US. In Nanded and Thane type of blasts, the underlying reason is the indoctrination of youth by RSS ideology, the misconceptions has been planted that terrorism is due to teachings of Islam and nature of Muslim community. This indoctrination is resulting in acts like the ones’ in Nanded. While there is a veneer of Nationalism in this RSS ideology, it essentially looks at people along religious lines, communal identities and teaches its followers to ‘hate others’ and this culminates in burning of Pastor Stains or massive pogroms against minorities. It is not for nothing that US based Terrorism Research institute put RSS in the category of terrorist organizations in 2005. These types of organizations, RSS or Hindu Jagran Samiti may not give the direct training in arms but their ideology of ‘Hate other’ leads to the indoctrination leading to terrorist acts. The success of these organizations lies in projecting that the Hindu community is under the threat from minorities. And that’s how Dara Singh is projected as ‘Hindu Dharm Rakshak’ (savior of Hindu faith). The other common factor is that though these individuals are part of such organizations their connections are kept discreet on purpose and they are quickly disowned by the parent organization.
Coming to Bal Thackeray, one realizes the limitation of our legal system. Bal Thackeray in the wake of Babri demolition said, he is proud if Shiv Saniks have demolished the Mosque, he also gave a call that Hindus should become aggressive. Now he repeats the call for formation of Suicide squads to attack minorities. We are helplessly watching that no action is taken against such spewing of poison! If state cannot act against such ‘hate speech’ can the communal harmony prevail?
One has to come back to the understanding that there are different causes of acts of terror. Intolerance for others, orthodoxy in religious beliefs and sticking to narrow understanding of one’s history and indoctrinated mindset being the major such causes. In different ways Al Qaeda, Taliban, Bjarang Dal and RSS fall in the same category. The double standards of social and legal norms are operative not only in the investigation but also in the way of dealing with those inciting the communities into ‘hate other’, into undertaking violence and divisive acts. One is sure the Government will make some noises that action is being contemplated against Thackeray, HJS etc. but when the crunch time will come, some convenient excuse will be found to back out from punishing/ banning them. Can crime be contained in such a society where society has come to ‘tolerate’ the selective inaction of the state apparatus? Can such crimes be eradicated without applying similar yardsticks to all of them? And finally can we prevent acts of terror by following these double standards?
--
Issues in Secular Politics
June 2008 III
For circulation
June 18, 2008
Bal Thackrey wants Hindu suicide squads
The Times of India
Thackeray wants suicide squads to fight terror
timesofindia.com
18 June 2008
NEW DELHI Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray has advocated the formation of Hindu suicide squads to fight the scourge of 'Islamic terrorism', Times Now reported. ( Watch )
In a controversial editorial in the Sena's mouthpiece -- Saamna -- he has called calls for the formation of such squads.
Thackeray, in the editorial, says, "The threat of Islamic terror in India is rising. It is time to counter the same with Hindu terror. Hindu suicide squads should be readied to ensure existence of Hindu society."
The article adds, "When I heard of Hindu's making bombs, I was happy but the fact that there were used to injure Hindus made me feel ashamed of them."
The observation came in reference to the Hindu group alleged to have been behing the recent bomb blasts at a theatre in Thane.
He has been criticised by the RSS this time, which has said that Hindu scriptures give no sacntion for terrorist activities.
This is not the first time that Thackeray has called for the formation of such suicide squads.
Thackeray wants suicide squads to fight terror
timesofindia.com
18 June 2008
NEW DELHI Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray has advocated the formation of Hindu suicide squads to fight the scourge of 'Islamic terrorism', Times Now reported. ( Watch )
In a controversial editorial in the Sena's mouthpiece -- Saamna -- he has called calls for the formation of such squads.
Thackeray, in the editorial, says, "The threat of Islamic terror in India is rising. It is time to counter the same with Hindu terror. Hindu suicide squads should be readied to ensure existence of Hindu society."
The article adds, "When I heard of Hindu's making bombs, I was happy but the fact that there were used to injure Hindus made me feel ashamed of them."
The observation came in reference to the Hindu group alleged to have been behing the recent bomb blasts at a theatre in Thane.
He has been criticised by the RSS this time, which has said that Hindu scriptures give no sacntion for terrorist activities.
This is not the first time that Thackeray has called for the formation of such suicide squads.
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