Fighting terrorism is like being a goalkeeper. You can make hundred brilliant saves, but the only shot that people remember is the one that gets past you.
With another date 13/7 being crafted into the list of the infamous events in the country, the cyber discussion forums, media speculations, intellectual debates on terrorism and terror strikes in form of bomb blasts have all taken the front seat once again. Terrorism is a value laden, most used, misconstrued concept. Sociologically, it mainly emanates from anomic state of nature; Psychologically, from a narcissistic frame of mind and Economically, from a sense of relative deprivation. The word terrorism was first used in France and popularized in Russia. In the present scenario, it will be highly immature if yet another article is being constructed only to reciprocate the anger, the grief, the hatred etc. against the so called terrorists and the failure of the government in tackling the same. Cyrilnomics is going for a differential analysis that after all what makes India prone to terror attacks, why is the country turning out to be a soft target of terrorism.
- Independence at a wrong time!
In November 1891 Rudyard Kipling visited Australia, where a journalist asked him about the 'possibility of self-government in India'. 'Oh no!' he answered: 'They are 4000 years old out there, much too old to learn the business. Law and order is what they want and we are there to give it to them and we give it them straight.' This was a colonial argument in all sense and there are lot of counter arguments like the survival of democracy in India for the last sixty plus years but the very fact that India is still policed under the archaic Police Act of 1861 which was instituted by the British is the basic understanding that throws light onto the fact that still we are under the colonial hangover and we are not able to device our own strategies.
- We value Breakdown maintenance more than Preventive maintenance!
In our country it is always easy to detonate a bomb in a metro than in any rural part of India irrespective of the crowd assembled in the location. Lets think over it. The moment an outsider comes into the vicinity, the extra-eye which the villagers have always reserved for finding out the events happening in the 'neighbours house' gets activated and this is strongest vigilance network which gives added security to the villages and towns. Here again there is no shortage for counter arguments, but the fact remains the system inbuilt in our local towns and villages is that of a preventive approach whereas in our metros and other big cities we start taking action once the event has occurred. In other words, even in the case of the recent blast we are tracing the age old 'suspect to crime' route.
- Charismatic leaders are not always capable leaders!
Right from the beginning of freedom struggle and upto the present day the author feels that India has seen more of charismatic leaders. There is no guarantee that with charisma comes capability. Gandhiji was one great individual who displayed his capability along with his charisma. But, its very difficult to point out other leaders and instances where we have seen his/her capability and not his/her clout of charisma. This has resulted in the lack of political will to do something good for the nation as a whole and not to just satisfy his/her caste, region, religion etc. The outward manifestation of the same can be seen in the present day leaders not caring for the lives of the poor and the needy and they being getting marginalized. A capable leader will always know that his support edifice is built on the trust and moreover lives of individuals.
- Failure of the via-media approach!
India always tried to adopt a midway path in its all stands. Let it be the political setup, or the financial economy or the internal or the external policies. This persistent bomb blasts and terror attacks are an outcome of the lack of clarity in terms of her policies. By the via-media approach India reached nowhere. The political alliances present in the country are no way different. Since there is not much of significant presence of the leftists, ideologically, both the main alliances in the center are on the same boat. Hence, its not a big surprise, when they do the things which they are best at- Mud slinging.
- Generation Gap-A Political outcome!
We live in a timeframe where one year difference means a lot in the mental makeup of individuals. As a result even in psychological testings, we have moved from the longitudinal to the crossectional approach. Volumes are written on the concept of generation gap. But, the author here likes to take a different view. Generation gap is something which is sponsored and promoted by the state. Though an average Indian doesn't know what is the market rate of commodities he require for his day to day survival, or doesn't know who stays in his neighbourhood, or even does not feel a need to stand against atrocities against his brother, or does not feel a need even to stand up for the National Anthem, he is very much aware of his rights esp. Art14, Art15, Art 19 and not to forget Art 21 in its all aspects, i.e these are the only things we are generally aware of - our rights. The generation of 1990s is more aware of their rights when compared with the generation of the 1980s. Similarly, every decade can be well accounted by this understanding. The awareness about our rights and the attitude of questioning; the argumentative Indian has given rise to a feeling of discomfort against our previous generation which we generally describe as Generation gap. The point is that it takes its own time. USA is in the present pedestal because they had started the run and the rise for their rights much ahead of us.
To conclude, the effort has always been to become a super power in as much as less time. But, the economic rat race, should never be at the cost of the lives of its citizens. The problem with the rat race is that how fast you run, how fast you reach your destination, you still remain a rat. What is the use of a developed economy where your citizens are not guaranteed of their lives. How can a country become a developed nation when every other day there is a fear of a bomb blast. The solution to the menace should be always on the basis of bounded rationality. Our policy makers should understand there is no best way approach. The basic problems need to be addressed at first, we require a systemic reform. Still, if our law makers think that there is a best way approach, then it will be to form a National government with immediate effect, take up the necessary amendments and come out with strict policy measures. But till we don't have the political will and capable leaders to do so, it will all sound Utopian and we will keep on seeing ourselves as average goalkeepers with average save percentages.
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