Much ado about nothing

There is a lot of righteous indignation in the wake of the bomb blasts which is of course understandable but definitely being taken too far. There is a great need for everyone to calm down. The TV channels are whipping up a frenzy that makes the bomb blasts appear like an unparalleled catastrophe that merits our sole attention. The opposition parties are moving in for the kill, demanding the head of the home minister and the resurrection of POTA. The media instead of remaining independent and objective is aiding them. The loss of life caused by the bomb blasts is indeed sad. Human life is undeniably precious. So indeed why are we categorizing only the bomb blasts as terrorism and forgetting the numerous other killings that are going on in our country? What about the casualties of Orissa, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat to name a few? Why is there hardly any interest in that? Is not that terrorism?

Terrorism by definition is the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. By this standard, the killings of Christians in Orissa, killings of Muslims in Gujarat are all terrorism. Why was not anyone held responsible then? Which minister resigned? Which new law was brought in to tackle it?

Is it that when a few masked men kill indiscriminately (victims are from all denomination), they are to be dreaded more than the thousands who take to the streets and choose their victims carefully according to religion and kill them one by one in an organized and precise manner? Nary a word is said about those who visibly aided and abetted them, the VHP, the Bajrang Dal, the BJP. Which TV channel is abuzz with the demand for their ban?

If SIMI is responsible for violent acts, it should be banned. No sane Muslim is going to oppose it. If the families of the victims of the parliament blasts want Afzal Guru hanged, no sensible Muslim is going to oppose their demand for life for a life. Who are spreading these lies about Muslims caring about these things? We care that justice be delivered. We do not want any favors (No more reservation based on caste and religion please, what we require is reservation based on economic status. Brahmins, if they are economically backward, should also be brought under reservation.), only that is ours by right; that is the right to live peacefully and fearlessly. We need to put things in perspective. We need to think about alleviating poverty and building the nation, not turning our country into a police state or bringing back a party that has blood on its hands. I do not want to be pushed to a corner and compartmentalized as “Muslim.” I wish India would start acting in a way that reminds me I am an Indian.