It’s the Muslims, of course
The trigger happy Indian media has always shot off volleys at a series of Islamic organistions (real and imagined) every time there have been bomb blasts.
The manner in which the DNA, however, publicized the pronouncements of Subramniam Swami, has crossed all bounds, says SHAIK ZAKEER HUSSAIN
Even before the real perpetrators of the recent attack on Mumbai are brought to light and the investigators have come out with evidence, some sections of the media, civil society, and politicians have given their verdict - 'Islamic Terrorism.'
In its July 16th edition, Times of India, the nation’s largest-selling English newspaper, came out with a list of groups which were involved in terror activities in India. It contained names of the obvious organizations - Lashkar-e-Taiba, SIMI, Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami (a Bangladesh based outfit) and the so-called Indian Mujahideen. Given the impact of the attacks the list conspicuously missed the name of Abhinav Bharat whose members were arrested for their involvement in the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings. The list also did not include organisations behind terror attacks like the 2007 Ajmer Sharif blast, 2006 Malegaon blasts, and the 2008 Malegoan & Modasa bombing.
This makes it evident that the TOI has taken the initiative of 'educating' the masses that all terror activities in this country are Islamic in origin.In the reportage that followed the same leitmotif of Islamic terrorism was evident.
However, the one piece of writing that stands out, the one which seems to be grounded in thoughts of vengeance and hatred, was published by DNA on July 16. The article written by Subramanian Swamy was crudely titled, 'Analysis: How to wipe out Islamic terror.' It said that the blasts required decisive soul-searching by the Hindus of India. ``Hindus cannot accept to be killed in this halal fashion, continuously bleeding every day till the nation finally collapses,’’ it said.
The blasts, according to various news reports, killed anywhere from 17 to 21 people, and left around 131 injured. The ones who were killed, the ones who were injured and the ones who came to the rescue of victims included Hindus and Muslims. Presuming that the targets were just Hindus is not only absurd, but such assumptions come out of a deep and hollowed resentment against communities who, people like Subramanian Swamy, call 'outsiders' and who are not a part of the so-called, 'Brihad Hindu Samaj,' or the greater Hindu society.
Mr. Swami goes on, ``...In one sense, I do not blame the Muslim fanatics for targeting Hindus. I blame Hindus who have taken their individuality permitted in Sanatan Dharma to the extreme. Millions of Hindus can assemble without state patronage for the Kumbh Mela, completely self-organised, but they all leave for home oblivious of the targeting of Hindus in Kashmir, Mau, Melvisharam and Malappuram and do not lift their little finger to help organise Hindus.’’
The NDA government banned the Students Islamic Movement of India or SIMI as it was alleged to have advocated 'violence' and 'communal disharmony'. But here we have people like Subramanian Swamy, a former union minister, urging Hindus to come together to fight the 'Muslim Fantics,' 'Remove the masjid in Kashi Vishwanath temple and the 300 masjids at other temple sites. 'Mr. Swamy might have forgotten the horrors of 1992, when a group aroused by L.K. Advani and members of the Sangh Parivar, brought down the Masjid at Ayodhya, but how did the editors at DNA forget the fact? How come it provides platform for hate-mongers like this, who apart from advocating Ayodhya-like incidents again, also propagate the annexation of land from 'Bangladesh in proportion to the illegal migrants from that country staying in India.'
The author is an independent writer and blogger based in India.
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