'Terrorism Of The Mob'

'We condemn the terrorism of the mob just as strongly as we condemn theterrorism of the bomb... Before making the case for a new law on terrorism, theBJP and its friends need to learn respect for the law as it now stands'

With the shock and trauma of the serial bombings in Delhi yet to wear off, weare distressed to see the manner in which elements of the saffron brigade areseeking to make political capital out of a national tragedy by pushing for aspecial law on terrorism. We are struck by the irony that the saffron brigade isconcurrently orchestrating a mass campaign of bigotry and lawlessness that beganin Orissa and has now spread to Karnataka and even threatens hitherto tolerantand peaceful Kerala.

We are convinced that the people and the state authorities in Kerala willswiftly contain the threat to the peace in their state. But with the mob frenzyin Orissa and Karnataka being abetted by conniving state governments, we fearthat the turmoil and suffering inflicted on the Christian communities may yetescalate.

We are convinced that the approach to terrorism that the Hindutva partieshave been advocating is wrong-headed and susceptible to gross abuses. At thesame time, we believe that the lawlessness the Hindutva formations foment andthe impunity they enjoy in their campaign of violence against religiousminorities, creates fertile breeding grounds for terrorism. We condemn theterrorism of the mob just as strongly as we condemn the terrorism of the bomb.

Before making the case for a new law on terrorism, the BJP and its friendsneed to learn respect for the law as it now stands. Since the governments inOrissa and Karnataka have shown that they are on the side of lawlessness, weurge civil society in these states to stand firm against the outbreak ofreligious bigotry and where necessary, impart the necessary lessons to theHindutva forces in honouring the law of the land.