terror without capital 'T'

Lot has been said and written about 26/11 Mumbai attack. How is it different from other terrorist attacks? Some would argue that it is for the first time society has witnessed a face-to-face combat with 'terrorist'. Before 26/11 all terrorist attacks were hide-a-bomb-n-run type. But for the first time in history the world confronted with terrorists in a way that was never recorded.  This time it was not the common (wo)men that were targeted but also the elite of the society. Not crowed places like stations but hotels. For a traveller, hotel becomes their home in the destination of travel.

Like many, I saw the entire Mumbai carnage live on television thinking I might have been there dining with someone I loved. It was not one hour or two but more then 60 hours ordeal and with every passing minute the fear of un-known increased in me. What if some other 5 star hotels in Delhi or other Indian city are also targeted? Do we have enough NSG soldiers to fight at multiple locations at a time?  What if there are more terrorist just waiting to attack? I was not at the ground zero and so had the liberty of thinking; thinking all what-if questions.

I have witnessed many terrorist attacks before. But the audacity with which this terrorist attack was executed has shaken me completely. The fear has settled deep inside me. I have always prayed for health, prosperity and happiness. But now I would pray to have a natural death. I would pray to my God so that I don’t become a mere statistics in a terrorist attack. 

Every body who is somebody has an opinion to make. The blame game has started. Be it Mughal, British, Politicians and now Bureaucracy historically speaking, we have been comfortable in blaming others for our misery. And the funny part is that after the blame game is over the same person once held responsible is reinstated.

‘Post 9/11 the world would not be same again’, said Americans. And they damn changed the world. It is only after 26/11 the world (including me) understands what Bush was talking about. Let’s not take long to understand what India has witnessed. Replace Mumbai with any other city and the pain, agony and fear would be same.

Terrorist are not criminals. Terrorist are terror gods. And it is important to understand the difference between the two. Criminals commit crime to be in a better place financially and socially. They value their life more than others. Where as terrorist spread terror to create continuous fear. They value others lives more than theirs. A criminal would never jeopardise their own life as they wouldn’t be able to enjoy their booty. Whereas terrorist wouldn’t think twice before blowing themselves up. Crime is a social problem whereas terrorism is a mental problem.

Our society is prepared to tackle criminals. The laws and system is better equipped to keep criminals in check. But for a determined terrorist the system just fails. 21^st century has brought a new challenge. The world is not the same. The society needs to change to fight the new menace; the menace of terrorism.

To begin with the first step would be to differentiate between terrorist and criminal. Terrorism calls for international co-operation and single-mindedness to fight back. There should be zero-tolerance against terrorist. New laws and mindset should be created to fight terrorist.

Terrorist have no religion or state. No terrorist is Muslim or Hindu, Pakistani, British or Afghani. Terrorist are just terrorist. They are un-religious and non-state members. They are mentally sick people. They have no respect for society. They have no rule book to abide by be it religious or social. They kill all children, women or hospitalised, just all. They kill others as enemy and their own as a sacrifice. They spread terror brazenly without restrictions or limitations. Symbolically, it is terror without capital ‘T’.

They are hypnotised zealots brain washed in the name of religion or state. We need to prevent people from becoming a terrorist. And if they become one then set them right so that other terrorist-in-the-making get a befitting reply.

What about scepticals who would say that the State may twist the fight against terrorists to get rid of criminals. Well then I would say history is the best teacher. If States misuses their terrorist laws it would be creating a new Taliban. Ask an American post 9/11 what it costs to create a Taliban. Or an Indian post Babri Mosque demolition.