Not a good idea all the time
A problem that many nations of the world face these days is the radicalisation of its young, male, Muslim demographic. Subject to much covert racial profiling, this group is being viewed by the conservative elements within these countries as time bombs. Just add the required catalysts and conditions and watch them go.
But consider the odd country out. This demographic in Britain is Britain’s problem. In France, it is France’s problem. In Turkey, it is Turkey’s problem. In Pakistan, it is Pakistan’s problem. In India, however, it is still Pakistan’s problem. Lest this be misinterpreted: it is India’s problem as far as the terrible loss of lives is concerned but it is Pakistan that is expected to apologise for it. This scheme of things is not entirely unfair. The powers that be in the country have a lot of sins to atone for. If Islamist extremism in India is attributed to forces in Pakistan, it is not an unreasonable allegation; instead of going on the defensive, nationalists in Pakistan should confront the problem, look it in the eye and see what could be done.
But a change is also emerging in the Indian security mindset. There is a creeping realisation that all violence, even if it is Islamist in nature, could be carried out from within India as well. With one of the largest Muslim populations in the world, India is as responsible as other countries to enforce the prevention of any radicalisation of its populace.
Moving on, the vast leftist insurgency underway in a huge swathe of India also merits mention. The Naxalites/Maoist crisis presents, according to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the biggest security challenge that the country faces at the moment.
Home Minister P Chidambaram, not one ordinarily programmed to go soft on Pakistan, also said the other day that pointing fingers across the border every time there was a terror attack was no longer possible.
Though it is admirable for the Indians to have this measure of perspective, this by no way means we absolve ourselves of responsibility. Though we do owe a responsibility to our regional neighbours as well, the fight against terror is primarily fought for our own good.
