[Reader-list] Some interesting thoughts on ISlamic terror.

[Kshmendra Kaul]

Dear Subhrodip
 
This is only sharing of some thoughts based on what you have expressed.
 
1. Separatism is the desire for territorial independence. Terrorising might be just way of following up on that desire. The two need not neccessarily go together. But when "terror" is used then of course the two will be read together
 
2. There could be a variety of reasons why a group would seek "separatism". Any such demand would have its own unique justifications forwarded. In my opinion it would be foolish to generalise reasons. That is the "separatism seekers"
 
3. Then there are the "separatism deniers" who present their own justifications for why they think the desire of "separatism" is not justified.
 
4. Where does the decision to use "terror" come from? I would say it emanates from ideology driven thinking. It also comes from greed (which I would say is not an ideology)
 
5. Who sponsors or indulges in "terror"? It could be (and as we have seen enough evidence of) both the State and Non-State actors.
 
6. Does RAW indulge in or sponsor "terror". It would not be surprising at all if they do. Pakistan is convinced that it is being done by India (RAW) in Balochistan.
 
7. I do not disagree with you that the Afghan "extremists" have grieviances and that their acts of violence are not driven purely by subscribing to Islam.
 
8. I do not agree with you that the actions of the Afghans come from their being "Barbaric tribes". 
 
    The Afghans still follow the "tribal" system and have their own precepts and rules that are still rooted in traditional mores. Amongst the Afghans themselves there are some who would like this to change.
 
     On a personal note, I have interacted with many Afghans through the range of levels of "modernity" and "backwardness". They are very loving people and make excellent friends. Afghans are known for their Loyalty and Honesty and I can only confirm that.  Tagore's 'Kabulivaala' was not a fantasy.
 
      Again on a personal note, I see no difference in Death Penalty carried out by Lethal Injection; or by Electric Chair; or by Gallows; or by Public Beheading By Sword.
 
9. In my opinion, the Islamic Revolution in Iran and Iran standing up to USA created an aura about Iran which they capitalised on by working on creating areas of influence in various parts of the World. Iran being Shia, this was not acceptable to the Sunni Saudi Arabia who started countering this by similar efforts amongst Sunnis. Each wanted to impress that they best represent True Islam.
 
   So I agree with you that the Oil Producing Nations (primarily Saudi Arabia and Iran) got involved in such propagations (of Islam) and supporting with finance such actions that got recognised as "terrorism".
 
10. Islam will be blamed only to the extent that Muslims themselves allow Islam to be blamed by their words and actions.
 
     This is not any different from the people of any other religion. They will be judged (by others) on the basis of how they execute their "religosity" in word and action.
 
     A Hindu might say a million times over that Hinduism does not justify Caste-Discrimination; or Sati; or Child Sacrifice; or Dowry. A Hindu might implore Non-Hindus to read the Vedas and Upanishads to get a true understanding of Hinduism. Non-Hindus will however judge Hindus and Hinduism by how they live their "religosity" in word and action.
 
     Similarly, Islam and Muslims will be judged by Non-Muslims on the basis of how Muslims live their "religosity" by word and action. 
 
     It is more than likely that the words and actions of a few will get identified as being representative of the whole group, whether it is Hindus and Hinduism or Muslims and Islam.
 
11. Does the state-of-the-society drive people to adopt violence? Certainly does. Agree with you on that. Time does not allow U-Turns and when hope becomes a blind alley, then people will try to tear down walls and uproot foundations.
 
Tried my best to share thoughts where I thought I could
 
Take care
 
Kshmendra
 

--- On Tue, 11/17/09, subhrodip sengupta <sub_sengupta at yahoo.co.in> wrote:


From: subhrodip sengupta <sub_sengupta at yahoo.co.in>
Subject: [Reader-list] Some interesting thoughts on ISlamic terror.
To: "Readers list Yousuf Sarai." <reader-list at sarai.net>
Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 12:41 AM


Interestingly, we talk of seperatism, and terror alike sometimes. PArdon for being rrather simplistic but I'll leave this topic open for everyone who is interested especially my friend KK. How is terror being sponsored, or where from is terror coming. We too have Raw. India, the origin is not just Islamic states:
a> The AFGAN extremists who have more grievance actually than Islam alone, this strarts from times of cold war (finally Mir never came to forefront, ever again) which makes Afganistan a backward region in the world left on it's own and hardly studied.  These people have very violent culture and the blood of Barbaric tribes, living on loot.

b>  A few Oil producing nations which were the reactionary rich Oilfield owners and other Dons invested in such trade including our very own D- Company.  


Geographically remarkably china is as much viable as India and definitely more than Australia, and these people have more rasons for chinese and US coming together..... But how can they annoy the supplier of Arms? Chineese have kept strange equations with whole world.... We on the other hand are influencable and volatile. Looters have sustained themselves but what finances the arms? The trade across POK-India. KAshmir is the place where the pak rupee is accepted as well. The mode of attacks in kashmir is politically very different from the attack in Mumbai. The latter was essentially economic. Muslims of India have nothing much do woth it except sometimes some of them join in. That may be pardoned beacuse Individuals tend to join in. Why do we not have clear cut policies at first stand while dealing with any region. Why are we more vulnerable than the chineese. Cant blame Islam, much can we. Rather it is the violent movements in the society itself,
more clearly the mass which is robbed not only of corporal freedom but also of Expression. In Up, for example Headmen keep tigers as pets, in Delhi itself, women are kept as mortgage...  To illustratewho is worse hit: US or INDIA?  On a very differnt note, before the Recession, as a matter of fact after it, now I find two major things increasing Terror and US....  Last point if we do not treat terror very differently what is the percentage of muslim criminals to entrie criminals..........
Why do we need to Upift a society in a non interfering,class structure preserving way. Isn't ISLAMIC TERROR POLEMICS.

I have very high ambitions, ecpect additions, corrections and Comments. Welcome.



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