Terrorism : Fighting it spiritually Gandhigiri way

Two people were killed on Thursday as thousands of Muslims were breaking their day-long Ramzan fast when a bomb ripped through the dargah of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer, a shrine in Rajasthan venerated by Hindus, Muslims and Christians across northern India . On March 7, 2006 twin blasts in Sankat Mochan Temple of Varanasi city left 28 dead, Blasts took place on Tuesday, when the temple is usually packed with devotees. On May 18, this year only 2007 14 persons killed, in blasts in Mecca Masjid Hyderabad . Blasts took place during Friday prayers.
All these blasts once again highlight the grave threats to secular fabric of India . While we mourn the dead and treat the injured, there is a need to reflect on the problem of terrorism and its huge implications for secular democracy framework of India . Over the next several weeks and months the focus will be on the investigation to track down the perpetrators. But given the frequency of these incidents in India and elsewhere, there is an urgent need to understand the problem with a view to formulating effective responses that are in consonance with the rule of law.
Bombs that are used in blasts do not differentiate its victims as Hindus or Muslims . The direct consequences of terror attacks are: one, they result victimisation of the people who get killed, are injured or otherwise affected. Two, the family members of the victims are also affected because of their loved ones being directly involved. Three, the society in which the terrorist attacks take place becomes a victim as the people develop a sense of fear and lack of freedom to pursue their goals. We can not label these terrorists as freedom fighters. There is a wide gap between a freedom fighter on one hand and terrorist suicide bomber on the other. The former sacrifices his own life alone, the latter also sacrifices the lives of innocent civilians; the former gives up his life so that innocent people may live, the latter gives up his life ( or sometimes just flee from the scene) so that innocent people may die. The former's action is life enhancing; the latter's is only a form of necromania..
It is important that we understand the problem of terrorism better. This is so that we can formulate counter-terrorism policies that are effective and also take into account the need for balancing human rights and civil liberties while protecting national security.
In this regard, the response to terrorism should encompass the following:
1. Tackling it spiritually and building strong Public Opinion against terrorism
Recent terror attacks are on both Hindu temples as well as on mosques . From these attacks at least it is clear that terrorists want to divide the country on communal lines by creating a rift between two strong communities of India. Time has come when the people of India understand the dirty design of terror and rise to the occasion to give befitting reply to these attacks. Political and religious leaders can play crucial role in mobilizing public opinion against terrorism. One way of showing disapproval to such acts of terrorism may be by way of observing a day fasting on mass scale on the next day of terrorist attack. Gandhiji went on fasting on several occasions as a spiritual discipline. Fast in the names of those innocents who are killed by act of terror, fast to show the people disapproval of these acts of terrorism , fast to show solidarity with those who are engaged to protect us from such evils of society . Fasting helps to express, to deepen, and to confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice everything, [even] ourselves to attain what we seek for peace . Unleash the power of fasting to help you discover your inner power . A centuries-old tradition, fasting has historically been recognized as a way to heighten human sensitivity to all things . Fasting is soul power that will beat the psychology of the terrorist and stops his hand mid-air and makes him retreat from his action and thought without harming him, damaging him. Without the least bit of violence delivered to him. It is inaction, in action.
2. Reducing social and economic inequalities:
While it cannot be said that poverty and impoverishment are the causes of terrorism, reducing social and economic inequalities helps in dealing with discontent and marginalisation in society. Institutionalised social and income disparities over a period of time can result in people losing hope and a sense of despair can prevail. This can lead to the affected adopting violent and unconstitutional measures to achieve certain economic or political ends.
3. Strengthening the law-enforcement machinery
An effective law-enforcement machinery will be better equipped not only to appropriately respond to terrorism but also to develop intelligence and to provide proper training to officials in formulating counter-terrorism policies. India is faced with huge challenges relating to enforcing the rule of law. The criminal justice system is under severe stress and all institutions of governance suffer from corruption, mediocrity, and inefficiency, all of which undermine the effectiveness of the legal system. The fight against terrorism needs the support of the legal system and civil society whereby the law-enforcement machinery, including the criminal justice process, needs to be strengthened. This is essential so that acts of terrorism are thoroughly investigated, fairly prosecuted, and justice delivered within a reasonable time frame with due regard to the principles of equality and fairness. Unfortunately, in the Indian context, strengthening the law-enforcement machinery has been misunderstood to be the passing of draconian laws in the form of TADA and POTA, both of which have had a dubious track record of violating human rights and civil liberties, besides not being very effective in fighting terrorism. The development of a sound legal framework relating to anti-terror laws is necessary but not enough. Even with a good legal framework, it is not possible to effectively fight terrorism if the law enforcement machinery is not sufficiently empowered. It is important to recognise that the support of civil society is essential. The strengthening of the law-enforcement machinery for adopting suitable counter-terrorism policies ought to focus on the availability of necessary resources, proper training and support for the police and other institutions engaged in protecting national security, and most important, instilling faith and trust of the law-enforcement machinery among the people by reducing corruption and inefficiency.
4. Protecting basic human rights and respect for all :

The responses to combating terrorism should not deviate from the universal values of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. The question of what should be done when the enforcement of human rights appears to clash with the enforcement of national security measures is the key issue in the aftermath of terrorist attacks. It is important to recognise the need for valuing human rights and promoting civil liberties so that democracies can create space for meaningful dialogue and debates while maintaining the notion of dissent within civil and political society. Any deviation from the rule of law framework will not only be ineffective in fighting terrorism but may also lead to further problems.
The anti-terrorism laws should be compatible with both the national and international human rights framework. The courts and the human rights commissions are best suited to ensure that such laws do not undermine the existing protection of human rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India and other laws.
(AJIT KUMAR)
29 VIGYAN VIHAR
DELHI