Mumbai attacks and the blame game
Friday, 5 December 2008
Abul Kalam Azad
ABOUT 200 people including 22 foreigners were killed and another 300 people were wounded in the recent terrorist attack in Mumbai. The siege was finally ended 60 hours later where the most high-profile target was the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, a landmark of Mumbai luxury since 1903. The gunmen also seized the Mumbai headquarters of the ultra-orthodox Jewish outreach group Chabad Lubariteh and attacked the Oberoi Hotel, another five-star landmark. Several persons made the comparison with the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US and the subsequent bombings of London and Madrid. Another view stressed that the attacks were aimed at the rising number of foreign business executives visiting Mumbai. Again some analysts said the attack was aimed at scaring away foreign investors and tourists in the second largest growing economy of the world.
There is no question regarding the fact that terrorism in is one of the greatest threats to human life in the modern world which has become an octopus throughout the globe and it is, undoubtedly snatching our peace and stability. It is not only a regional but also an international problem. Everyone should realise the point that the so-called Islamic militants or the terrorists of any other group actually have no religion or country and the identity they bear is that they are terrorists. Many people have become surprised to hear the speech of the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Addressing to the nation, he said, "The well-planned and self-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of panic, by choosing high-profile targets and indiscriminately killing foreigners". Going one step ahead, the Indian Foreign Minister said, "According to preliminary information, some elements in Pakistan are responsible" while the Foreign Minister of Pakistan appealed to India not to get 'sucked' into a blame game and put the arch-rivals on a dangerous path to confrontation.
It has very often been noticed that after being attacked by the terrorists the Indian high-officials, before finishing investigation, blamed the neighbouring nations which unfortunately creates a big gap of mutual understanding and co-operation. This time again the Indian authority has played the blame game. Is it any solution to this severe problem? Blame-game' on the other hand, makes room for the terrorists to continue their operation one after another, causing untold suffering to the common people.
To get rid of the curse of terrorism, all concerned must stop playing 'blame-game' and should take measures, in close co-operation and consultation with the neighbouring countries, and create an atmosphere for helping each other to banish terrorism from the areas we live in.
ABOUT 200 people including 22 foreigners were killed and another 300 people were wounded in the recent terrorist attack in Mumbai. The siege was finally ended 60 hours later where the most high-profile target was the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, a landmark of Mumbai luxury since 1903. The gunmen also seized the Mumbai headquarters of the ultra-orthodox Jewish outreach group Chabad Lubariteh and attacked the Oberoi Hotel, another five-star landmark. Several persons made the comparison with the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US and the subsequent bombings of London and Madrid. Another view stressed that the attacks were aimed at the rising number of foreign business executives visiting Mumbai. Again some analysts said the attack was aimed at scaring away foreign investors and tourists in the second largest growing economy of the world.
There is no question regarding the fact that terrorism in is one of the greatest threats to human life in the modern world which has become an octopus throughout the globe and it is, undoubtedly snatching our peace and stability. It is not only a regional but also an international problem. Everyone should realise the point that the so-called Islamic militants or the terrorists of any other group actually have no religion or country and the identity they bear is that they are terrorists. Many people have become surprised to hear the speech of the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Addressing to the nation, he said, "The well-planned and self-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of panic, by choosing high-profile targets and indiscriminately killing foreigners". Going one step ahead, the Indian Foreign Minister said, "According to preliminary information, some elements in Pakistan are responsible" while the Foreign Minister of Pakistan appealed to India not to get 'sucked' into a blame game and put the arch-rivals on a dangerous path to confrontation.
It has very often been noticed that after being attacked by the terrorists the Indian high-officials, before finishing investigation, blamed the neighbouring nations which unfortunately creates a big gap of mutual understanding and co-operation. This time again the Indian authority has played the blame game. Is it any solution to this severe problem? Blame-game' on the other hand, makes room for the terrorists to continue their operation one after another, causing untold suffering to the common people.
To get rid of the curse of terrorism, all concerned must stop playing 'blame-game' and should take measures, in close co-operation and consultation with the neighbouring countries, and create an atmosphere for helping each other to banish terrorism from the areas we live in.