We are perhaps creating an illusion by weighing all terrorism on the same scale. Just as in Vedanta philosophy, Brahma, is only one but myriad are its (forms) Maya, so also terrorism is the single Devil, but it'sMaya are countless.
The nucleus of Islamic terrorism in India is Kashmir, whereas the Naxalite terrorism is triggered by hunger, poverty and capturing power, the terrorism in the North-East is based on sectarianism, economic exploitation and poverty. Thus, in the background of terrorism, there are diverse problems ablaze. Hence, a single solution to solve the riddle of terrorism would not work.
Naxalism
Naxalites are flourishing in those provinces where pangs of hunger and stark poverty prevail; rather, the former is even more pathetic than the latter, and hence the problem is more complex. It is perhaps not possible to contain the menace through military force or police.
Internal Security
One has to accept the fact that there are certain elements, which are eager to weaken India, and it is these enemies of the nation that are breeding terrorism. Not only that, they are also providing the terrorists with economic and military assistance, and also the required training in gorilla and other tactics. There are some elements, which consider India'svast population and growing military strength as a threat to themselves; therefore, they also join hands with the others in aggravating terrorism.
Let us not hesitate to accept the perennial truth that an internal enemy ever poses a greater threat than and external one. So, let us concentrate more on the basic problems, which are innate. These are the problems of hunger and poverty. To set a fire in the heap of hay, even a small spark would be enough. But these basic problems are not at all small sparks; they are in fact blazing flames of fire. Still, why the people sitting at the helm of affairs (or the summit of authority and power) do not pay attention to these fundamental matters? I don'twant to say that they are totally conniving at them, but what I want to stress is that their sincerity and seriousness to deal with terrorism is questionable. If we can solve the internal problems, then our power to deal with the external ones would be increased immensely.
The Right Solution
Although many measures are being taken to solve this intricate problem of terrorism, the most appropriate panacea in my view would be:
(1) Development of strength
(2) More vigilance
(3) Patriotism and loyalty to motherland
(4) Development of morality (national character)
In absence of loyalty to the motherland, even the citizens of our country give assistance to terrorism. In absence of moral values, even very eminent people become supporters of terrorists.
Freedom from Self-denial
It may not be difficult to accept that the remnants of the sentiments of self-denial in our people, which was the product of a long drawn spell of slavery for around a millennium are still crippling our national spirit. Otherwise, how a strong nation like India, which is possessed of great power of population, resources, military forces and intellect could have borne the agony of terrorism for such a long period? We cannot deny at all the truth that we are still reeling under the inferiority complex.
At some time in the past, people of India enjoyed a pride of place for their freedom of tension (terror or fear) and high spirit of well-being. Today however we are living under a great stressful condition and a gloomy atmosphere. This is highly contemplatable issue both for the people as well as the leaders of India. The principal reason of this situation is that we are lacking in awakening of consciousness. Our tragedy is that in the present democratic conditions, neither our leadership is steady nor our mentality. In such state of waverness or fluctuative condition, our organisational capacity is becoming weak and also the frontal lobe of our brain, which though equipped with the power of taking right decision, is falling to cope up with the situation. We indeed feel that the required concentration is lacking both in the leaders and the people. We cannot concentrate on a single issue for a long time so as to fulfill fully our task in continuity.
There is proverb in literature of Prakrit language: ?Jagaramanassa baddhe buddhi? (One who is wide-awake only can develop his intellectual power.) Without concentration of mind, awakenedness cannot be developed; and without awakenedness, we can neither find out the right cause of the problem nor its solution. Thus, for solving the problem of terrorism, only reactionary measures are not enough our attention should be concentrated also on other fundamental aspects such as national character, moral conduct, concentration and positive attitude.
(The author is a revered Jain saint.)
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