Terrorism and the State

The roots of violence:
Wealth without work,
Pleasure without conscience,
Knowledge without character,
Commerce without morality,
Science without humanity,
Worship without sacrifice,
Politics without violence.

M Gandhi

Terrorism and Governance

What is terrorism? Terrorism is defined as ‘the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people with the intention of intimidating or coercing often for ideological or political reasons.’ By this definition, we should wonder if the government, which is an organised group, though directly or indirectly elected by us, is itself involved in terrorism. In fact, terrorism can be physical, political, social, mental, or ideological. To a great extent, exercise of power indiscreetly, is terrorism. If we extend this definition, it may also mean amassing wealth disproportionately and unethically at the cost of others not so wealthy by powerful people within the state or by some super powers at the cost of poorer countries.

In a way, the US is responsible for a kind of the state terrorism exercised by it on other countries. Since 1945, the United States has been reported to have intervened in other countries 67 times, causing twelve million deaths, by overt or covert action. Hence, the targets of the September 11 terrorist attack were symbolic of anger with the World Trade Centre, representing a system of world trade that amasses ill-gotten wealth in a few hands at the cost of impoverishing billions in the Third World. This may also symbolise an attack on the super power for its sophisticated bellicosity against the rogue nations, which do not toe its line of thinking.

Talking of state terrorism further, the state has all the power- the police force, the intelligence, which it uses at its sweet will to serve its vested interests. The media is by and large in league with the government and the political party in power. Even these pillars of democracy at times are seen terrorising the people in their own way. The common act or threat of violence by the state police to create fear and extract information through third degree methods or narcotic test on a victim definitely amounts to state terror. Hence, terrorism emanates from legitimate political institutions intent upon creating a state of fear for political ends, and therefore includes the activities of sovereign states themselves. The lawful citizen is helpless in view of the state terrorism compounded by secrecy, deception and hypocrisy as the terrorist states typically act with clandestine brutality.

A few recent examples of state terrorism are the handling of Arushi/Hemraj murder case. No body knows who the actual culprit is. How the state police and then the CBI terrorised the accused or victims no one knows is an act of state terrorism. Recent gruesome murder of government engineer Manoj Kumar Gupta in Auraia (UP) is the latest in the series of state sponsored terrorism. It is learnt that the police have decided to invoke the provisions of the National Security Act (NSA) and the Gangster Act on BSP MLA Shekhar Tiwari and the other accused in connection with the murder of a senior here on Wednesday but he still remains as a loyalist of Mayawati’s BSP. We shall forget him like we have forgotten Satyendra Dubey, the NHAI engineer at the Golden Quadrilateral highway construction project, another victim of state goondaism. It was reported that Uday Kumar, prime accused in the murder case fled from the Patna civil court giving the slip to a police team escorting him! Another ghastly act sponsored by state or the goons of the party in power is the murder of Manjunath, an MBA from IIM Lucknow and an engineer with IOC. We all have forgotten about these cases. Even if we remember, can we do any thing?

If history is any testimony, the fact will be established beyond doubt that all countries have been involved in the acts of terrorism in some way or the other. The question is how this monster can be tackled. A state can handle terrorism from within or outside with all means and methods at its command.

To escape from this terrorism is a near impossible. It can certainly be brought under control by an enlightened and disciplined citizenry. Vigilant people will ensure that all state governs as per the provisions of national and international laws and that all the institutions of the state mechanisms function transparently. Until we monitor them effectively, the state will let loose terror on people even with the excuse of eliminating the non-state terrorism. If vigilant citizens check state sponsored terrorism, I am sure, external threats of terror can be checked as the latter feeds on the former or vice versa.

The present surge of emotions in the public, marked with natural cynicism against the system, can be capitalised for building a resurgent and renascent India. This is time that eminent people from all walks of the society created and expanded the network all over India; enrol members to be actively involved in the mass awareness. Let there be people's forums, which set agenda and action plan. All these small groups and sub-groups must put their acts together and act as a cohesive Watchdog. They can compel the state to govern. People’s power is more lethal than the muscle and money power.

Lastly, we should also be prepared to provide leadership, which is ready to provide alternative efficacious governance. In a simple way, we must build power- power of collective people's leadership. When 100 people collectively take up an issue, it has a force. Can we have a 100- people brigade in every district, who will raise the issues and can also act as watchdog of the government's schemes and make the government agencies and leaders accountable to people. The atmosphere is right now. Many youths wish to do something but have no defined path or leadership. Can we provide them the leadership? Let’s all pledge to eliminate the rein of terror.

We all know that India is a great country and we all love it. Please keep the religion and caste on the back burner. Think of only development and governance as an agenda. No terror can strike a country whose people are watchful and alert. Let there be governance and there will be no terrorism.

LK Kandpal