- Image via Wikipedia
B. Raman has written an outstanding summary of an apparently outstanding debate hosted by Barkha Dutt on the subject of Saffron terrorism.
What I liked was his way of stating the perspectives of both sides in a factual manner, and pointing out some facts about Indian Muslims that often get overlooked as India becomes global and starts adopting a global opinion of Muslims.
I have always thought of the Hindutva fanatics as an extreme danger to society. It isn’t really all that different from the Taliban formula – we have been wronged, our religion is in danger, we will be extinct if we don’t do something about it. I guess when it comes to any radicalization, there aren’t very many choices for original thinking. Fact is, to get people to strike out, they need to feel cornered. That kind of writes the script regardless of religion.
I have written on many forums that we only need to look at the current condition of Pakistan to see the very real damage religious radicalization does. Intolerance isn’t logical. Its an attitude. Once established, it colors everything. The other religion, minority sub-sects of the religion, country, ideologies, perceived injustices….. everything becomes threatening and everything needs to be attacked. It simply is not worth it to get into all this. What is the use of creating a victory for our religion if it means that the people will be touchy, discontented and volatile? If the very moral fabric of the society gets hardened and learns to ignore the plight of others?
What is the use of being so superior, if we end up standing all alone?
It should be a lesson to anyone considering religious fundamentalism to see the plight of Pakistan and the reluctance to provide aid in the world. As thousands languish, the righteous kill more, because they have an agenda that will not spare anyone for the ‘real truth’.
It may anger Hindu radicals to be compared with the Taliban, but if you think carefully, isn’t tit-for-tat all about aping wrong actions to punish another?
Another thing from that article I found important was when he says,
The psychological aspect relates to prompt and effective action to identify and address causes for anger in any community.
I hadn’t thought of attentiveness and prompt addressing of grievances as an anti-terrorism initiative. Yet, it so clearly is.
A lot of food for thought today.