Terror in Mumbai – Acceptable Political Response?
~Mithila Rajagopal ‘10
India is no stranger to terror strikes – but nothing could have prepared the Mumbaiites for the devastating high profile terror attacks that raged through prominent places of India’s financial capital. The series of attacks that started on Wednesday November 26th at approximately 7:00 pm IST ended only after the exhaustive anti-terrorist operation cleared the Taj Mahal hotel late Saturday evening. The events lashed Indians all over the world into fury, shock and misery. But how are the omnipresent politicians reacting to this situation?
India’s Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, unequivocally stated that ‘a group “based outside the country” carried out the Mumbai attacks and warned “neighboring countries” that “there would be a cost if suitable measures are not taken by them” to prevent the use of their territory for attacks against India’ (The Hindu). It appears as if the Prime Minister is intent upon pointing the finger at ‘neighbors outside the border’, widely understood to be Pakistan. This comment was made, despite the fact that Pakistan was one of the first to condemn the attacks, the Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, saying ‘Pakistan wanted to work with India to fight terrorism, the “common enemy”, “to build bridges”; he highlighted similar situations in Pakistan, like the Mariott Hotel (BBC World Radio Service). The Foreign Minister also ‘warned against jumping to any conclusions’. Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari has ‘warned India against any “over-reaction”’ (PressTV), But how far is this possible, considering the already strained relations between India and Pakistan due to Kashmir and previous militant allegations? How far can India stand the pressure of the international and domestic community looking for answers? Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, said the Indian Government is prepared to tighten laws and the National Security Act, promising safety and security to its citizens, meeting the terrorist challenge head-on. (The Hindu) Pakistan, on the other hand, reneged on a pledge made Friday to send the chief of its Inter Service Intelligence Agency in person, sending a director instead. (PressTV)
While the neighbors engage in hostile exchanges, the international community has been quick to condemn the attacks. With several American and British hostages taken, and the terrorists specifically targeting these nationalities, there has been much cause for widespread concern. President George W. Bush and President-elect Barack Obama pledged their support to India. Obama was particularly concerned with strengthening the weak ties between Pakistan and India, believing that this would aid the cause against terrorism. For the United States, of course, their fight against terrorism has been long standing, and these comments come in the wake of such news items as ‘Suspected US missile kills 3 in Pakistan’ (CNN).
British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, also backed India solidly, and said ‘urgent action is underway to offer every possible protection to British citizens in the region’ (Nov. 27 Telegraph). The United States has been considering sending in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to aid India in its investigation, as also has Britain’s Scotland Yard, but so far India has not asked for their assistance. Other countries have also offered similar condolences and support.
Meanwhile, rumors are flying thick and fast in Mumbai. During the period of the attacks, these largely served to encourage panic and paranoia. Now after the commandos have cleared the area, rumors about the ties of the terrorists to one group or another, one country or another, urge on sectarian anti-sentiments. As people mourn the almost 200 dead in these attacks, a fear of many people is that further investigation into the matter is going to unearth evidence that would be prove to be a ticking bomb in terms of further violence and anti-sentiments between two nuclear-armed countries. All that remains now is to find out: What was the motive for these terrorists? Who are the Deccan Mujjahideen?
Images: PM Manmohan Singh (Courtesy Google Images), Mumbai, Taj Mahal Hotel (Courtesy BBC), President Asif Ali Zardari (Courtesy Google Images)