A nation enjoys national security only if it means not having to sacrifice its national interests and legitimate aspirations to avoid violent conflicts and ability to defend these interests by war, if necessary. National security means a nation’s determination to preserve certain interests at all cost. Foremost among these are the nation’s integrity, political independence and fundamental political institutions.
Terrorism is a premeditated, politically inducted and/or religiously-inspired violence perpetrated against a non-combatant, target population by clandestine agents, by intimidation to overawe the civilian population to do or not do and act against their will and well-being. It is a strategy of the perpetrators of violence to generate fear, disrupt and ultimately secure their nefarious objectives through capitulation of law-abiding citizens.
The Mumbai terror attach by Pakistan’s Islamic jihadis fully trained and equipped by Pakistan’s terrorist intelligence agency, the ISI with support of the Pakistani army and naval units, was a war on India which has so far been a victim of 26 Islamic terror attacks in recent years with thousands injured and killed.
The author tries to provide answers to questions like: How prepared is the world for this conflict hovering over its head? Do the current leaders of free nations, including India and the US, recognise that we are facing a dangerous sophisticated enemy? With weapons of mass destruction, like stolen nuclear technology and chemical weapons finding their way into the hands of jihadis, the approaching conflict is sure to assume a frightening dimension.
The author laments that when victims of religious persecution from all over the free world were granted refuge in India and enjoyed safety and prosperity, but how did they repay? By attacking India directly or helping the crime perpetrators. He says that “self-generating and self-sustaining” jihadi terrorism has emanated from radical backward-looking Wahabism and Salafism fed on Saudi money and Pakistani patronage, which has become a launching pad for terrorism throughout the world. This has resulted in “mushrooming of mosques and madarsas”, especially in Kashmir Valley which, supported by the local people, has become a haven as the “world’s biggest terrorist centre.” The author says that a long-term solution involving liberal interpretation of Islam is needed, so that India and South Asia could “become one of the poles of this transformation”.
He further points out that the world has failed to notice that the Shia Muslims in India are continuously condemning the destructive acts of mindless violence and clarifies that “those who are against religious hatred and violence are our dear brothers”. He advocates globalisation of peace while quoting famous historian, Arnold Toynbee, who said, “At this supremely dangerous moment in history, the only way of salvation for mankind is the Indian way of Rama and Krishna, Ashoka and Gandhi which can make it possible for the human race to grow together into a single family and is the only alternative to destroying ourselves.”
The author wonders that when Khalistan terrorism, Irish terrorism and LTTE terrorism can be finished, then why not terrorism from Pakistan?
This book throws light on certain relevant aspects of terrorism.
(Shraddha Prakashan, 129-B- DDA MIG, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi-110027.)
