India has announced to share the findings of Samjhota Express bombing case and the relative information with Pakistan, in the backdrop of Swami Assemanands confessions. Swami is the influential member of the RSS, a Hindu extremist group and in Kuldip Nayars words the confession of a terrorist has been instrumental in exposing and stripping the Indian nationalism of its grotesque yet truly fascist ideology that had so far been concealed through a celebrated liberal front.
The Swami has admitted to have carried out acts of terror himself and exposed many other Hindutva leaders. He said it was not Muslim boys but an entire team of RSS Pracharaks who exploded bombs in Malegaon in 2006-08, on the Samjhota Express, Ajmer Sharif and Makka Masjid in 2007. The horrid episode in which 68 innocent Pakistani travelers lost their lives just due to the fact that it was basically Pakistanis who travel on the Samjhota Express train that runs between Pakistan and India compelled them to commit such a heinous crime, perfectly exhibits the basic Indian desire to crush and destroy all that symbolizes Pakistan. These sentiments have to be carefully nurtured to warrant such extreme reactions.
It has been four years since the occurrence of Samjhota carnage and Pakistan waits for official disclosure of findings by India. Pakistan would table the matter at the upcoming foreign-secretary level talks scheduled to take place in first week of February in Thimphu, Bhutan next month. In October last year first official acknowledgement was made from the Indian government that the perpetrators of Samjhota Express blast belong to Hinduvta extremist outfit of Rashtriya Swayamesevak Sangh (RSS).
Pakistan has repeatedly stated its desire to get official information regarding the ongoing investigation by the Indian investigation agencies. The level of cooperation India seeks from Pakistan following the Mumbai terrorist attacks has to be similarly responded by informing Pakistan about the developments taken place in the investigations by the Indian investigation agencies. The success of the joint terror mechanism between the two uneasy neighbours requires a parallel collaboration by Indian side so that real culprits could be brought to justice.
RABAIL I CHAUDHRY
Islamabad
