“Dastardly terror blasts” in Delhi

5 blasts, 18 dead, many more injured…

The usual statements have started to pour in:

“These dastardly terror blasts are an act of cowardice,” Gandhi said in a statement after six successive blasts ripped through the capital… [ link ]

Now waiting for the next act to unfold.

.

A Roll Call of Terror:

Dec ‘05: New Delhi: Four Years, Two Attacks, One Story 

Mar ‘06: Varanasi: Anger, tears and despair 

Jul ‘06: Mumbai: Blasts? What Blasts? ‘Yeh to hota hi rahta hai‘ 

Aug ‘07: Hyderabad: Another day, another blast – “Kuch nayee baat batao yaar” 

May ‘08: Jaipur: Jihadi attack in Jaipur? 

Jul ‘08: Bangalore: Blasts in Bangalore…3 killed already 

Jul ’08: Ahmedabad: Attack in Ahmedabad: Time to say NO MORE 

P.S. By the way, although the word “dastardly” means “treacherous, cowardly” (MSN Encarta) or “wicked/evil and cruel” ( Oxford Pocket Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary), the usage is considered dated, old-fashioned or humorous.

Is Smt Gandhi’s speechwriter listening?

B Shantanu

Political Activist, Blogger, Advisor to start-ups, Seed investor. One time VC and ex-Diplomat. Failed mushroom farmer; ex Radio Jockey. Currently involved in Reclaiming India - One Step at a Time.

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22 Responses

  1. B Shantanu says:

    BBC report on the attack has NO mention of the word “terrorist” at all. Unbelievable…

    Same for Washington Post too.

    Except for the very LAST para…that too quoting a local official…

  2. B Shantanu says:

    Pearls of Wisdom # 1:

    The Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has said that people should maintain calm and social harmony and understanding.

    “Let us jointly fight the tragedy,” he said. [ link ]

    Tragedy?? I thought we were fighting a War against Terror?

  3. Shiv says:

    Please do not say anything to harm the secular fabric of the country. Terrorists have no religion. Terrorists come from any religion. I have reason to suspect that “a certain neighboring country” has ill will towards India. But we believe in peace and friendship. Our secular credentials are second to none. I am sure it is the RSS or BJP who have done this in the name of “Indian Mujahiddeen” just to give a bad name to a certain community

    This is a time for love. Remember Babri Masjid. Remember Gujarat. We cannot blame any community for violence until we clean our own hearts.

    I am sure the government will set up a panel to enquire into these blasts. Our anti terrorism laws are draconian. They will simply arrest innocent people of a certain community.

    I am not sure we need a new thread. There are so many blasts in the world. Let us talk about riots in Orissa and inflation. I appeal to forum members finer senses from my heart’s bottom.

  4. Vivek says:

    Yes Shantanu, even CNN did not have the word ‘terrorist’ anywhere in their reportage.
    And i was under the belief that the Americans were beginning to acknowledge that we’re all facing similar terrorist threats (difference in nuances there, but i’m talking about the larger point).

  5. Kaushik says:

    Why this fixation about what BBC or CNN states. In number of occasions, the perpetrators have been getting support of our own media.

    What is required is action to put an end to these terrorists once and for all – whatever the reaction of the world.
    jAandon vote-bank politics and pseudo secularism and solutions will automatically surface. If a group of people are not interested in integrating themselves into the nation and insist on distinct identity and beyond border loyalties, it is time they are put in their place.

  6. Patriot says:

    Another blog, another condemnation …..

    http://indianmuslims.in/delhi-bomb-blasts-2008/#more-1129

    But, maybe this is why we now have an “Indian” Mujahideen?

    http://indianmuslims.in/victims-of-indias-war-on-terror/#more-1103

    Certainly, food for thought?

  7. Mahesh Patil says:

    Another extremely sad day in UPA ruled India.
    UPA govt has failed again.

    I condemn the terrorist who did the blast to take revenge under the name of Babri masjid demolition.

    I salute the bystanders youth, who in a heart beat rushed the wounded to the hospitals daring their own lives.

    May all the inoccent who died rest in peace… and i hope the govt offers more then absolute tag of Rs3lakhs to the dead’s family.

    Jai hind.. Vande Mataram!

  8. Dirt digger says:

    Shiv,
    Please tell us you are mentally retarded. There is zero evidence linking RSS/BJP to the incident and here you are dishonoring the innocent departed by talking nonsense?
    WTF do you mean,”We cannot blame any community for violence until we clean our own hearts.”?
    Does it mean any Hindu can be killed until everyone apologizes for some incident in the past?
    Do you think it will stop?

  9. B Shantanu says:

    @ Vivek: Thanks for spotting it..

    ***

    @ Kaushik: No, I am not fixated with BBC and/or CNN…But it is important to realise that media (and these sources) are considered credible by a vast majority of people and when they show signs of bias like this, it definitely does influence public perception and opinion…

    Calling a terrorist attack a bomb blast makes it sound less heinous and evil…doesn’t it?

    ***

    @ Patriot: Thanks for the link…However there is possibly some confusion here re. cause and effect. The sentiments expressed in the article followed earlier terrorist acts…

    In any case, what do you propose? What is the solution to this madness?

    ***

    @ DirtDigger: Shiv’s comment was meant to be sarcastic…Hope that clarifies.

  10. Pramod Athaley says:

    COWARDS HAVE TO DIE EVERY SECOND I AM NOT SURPRISED WHAT EVER HAPPENING IS BECAUSE TAXPAYERS MONEY IS SPENT ON Z CATEGORY OF NETAS ONLY & THEIR RELATIVES

  11. Indian says:

    *** COMMENT COMBINED ***

    Only Modi in India has concerned for the life of people, and mobilising people of gujarat to bring back the law to bring down the terrorists. No other leader has skin to work for it. If all leaders get united and work for the same cause as Modi, imagine the result…

    I have not included UPA’s leader in my comment.. but all other parties who are working for Hindutva and India must come together.

  12. Dirt digger says:

    Sorry Shiv, guess I overreacted without getting the subtleties of your statements.

  13. Vidhya says:

    What i find amusing is as soon as the investigation starts people start complaining about innocent people being caught, some community targeted etc. When people travel by flight abroad they are profiled, however inconvenient it might be or however must people shout on top of their voices, they are ultimately happy their flights are not being used to go smash buildings. Similarly the inconvenience faced by a few is nothing if lives of thousand infact millions can be saved from death and effects of lifelong disability due to bomb attacks. Simple! If people find profiling difficult, and newpapers want to shout about innocence let them do so, but that shouldnt stop law agencies from doing their work. Every parent and family thinks his or her loved one is absolutely an angel, even a convicted killers loved ones will think he did nothing wrong, and justify his actions. But that doesnt change what he is, a killer. We dont have Manuneedhi chozhans here, who gave death sentence to his son in a chariot since the prince killed a calf using his chariot. I am sure all people who are talking of human rights havent personally been affected by the blasts. No one had to see his or her child bloodied, or all of his family killed, or a child losing parents, or watched a loved one blown to pieces.

    I believe in this simple fact, every human being in India has the right to life, and the belief that he can walk down the streets without being wary of bombs day in and day out. The question is are we going to be worried about a few people’s inconveniences with the law since they dont want to be forthcoming, or the lives of everyday Indians irrespective of religion that is in extreme danger. I dont support violence of any kind, right, left or jihadi, but the government must do its job. If it keeps failing, we cannot complain when people take matters into their own hands!!!! Then it is not vhp or rss that is inciting violence, but people’s frustration at the spinelessness of the government that makes them act.

    Hope we fight adharma, have the clarity to see adharma as it is and fight it with dharma!!

  14. Srinivas says:

    Let us get ready to face more such blasts all over the country. But it is our own doing. Our government provides money to madrasa where they teach Koran and Hadis which urge Muslim to kill non Muslims. Then we subsidies their trip to Mecca, where on their way back they go to Pakistan to get trained and plant bombs. Untill people try to understand the root of the problem and eradicate it there will be no peace in India.

  15. Mahesh Patil says:

    @ Shantanu
    i am unable to find any article on your blog on naxals ..
    if its there do present the link.

    India is going through a new face of terrorism i.e. in BJP Govt we had Pakistani Sponsered terrorism. which was serious but in COngress lead UPA govt we are having a indegenous terrorism. Off which only the bombings in the cities are highlighted in media.

    In maharashtra alone in Gadchiroli District 170 police and twice the numbers of innoccent Adivasis are killed .. by the naxalites. in a single calender year. WHICH IS ANYTIME HIGHER THAN ALL THE people killed in terrorist bombings from 2004 to 2008.


    HAS THE HOME MINISTER HAS ANY CONCRETE PLANS FOR NAXALISM?

    जय हिंद ! जय महाराष्ट्र!!

  16. B Shantanu says:

    Mahesh: Did you try using the “Search” box just below comments?

    Usually that works pretty well (although I would definitely like better search capabilities – incl. ability to search comments).

    Here are the articles that came up when I did a search on “Naxalites” (use this link to see the results from the search: https://satyameva-jayate.org/?s=naxalites )

    In particular, have a look at these two articles:

    https://satyameva-jayate.org/2007/03/02/grass-roots-response-to-naxal-terror/

    and

    https://satyameva-jayate.org/2007/03/25/freedom-fighters-and-naxals/

    ***

    To All Readers: Pl. do try this feature (Search) and let me know whether you are able to find what you want.

    One of the objectives of this blog was to become a compendium of articles linked to national interest, religion, culture etc…but a collection is only useful if it can be searched and indexed ..so I am keen to have this capability.

    Thanks.

  17. tarun garg says:

    Ha Ha Ha
    Yet another blast. Another state burning . another police looking for terrorist. Another state government crying for aid and help. Another condemn from international community. Another people dyeing. Is this just another regular thing now????

    Friends we all say this is too much or government is doing nothing. Terrorist are rulling this country or terrorism is everywhere or many things like this. But who is suffering from this thing ? who is living in hell? Who fears in morning that whether he will see evening or not? It is we. We who pays taxes. We who work for this country. We who have very small dreams. We who want to live in peace. We who want to make India proud. We are suffering from current situation.

    We say politicians are doing nothing or police is doing nothing. Is this entire situation affecting this ppl? Does the current situation make any difference to this people’s health? Friends we all know answer. Can I ask what is stopping us from raising our voice? Is it our little personal interest or our little differences that is stopping us from uniting? There are many things we say, and we are full of different excuses. Aren’t we? No matter what the situation is we will look for our advantage. If blast is in Delhi we don’t care cos we live in Mumbai. If it is in Mumbai, I don’t care because I live in andheri not in dader where blast took place. Or this is duty of police or intelligence department. Oh I know , who did it, Pakistan has done all this and our government is doing nothing. Shame on Indian government. Just some of our thinking isn’t it.

    Wht I wanna say here is if we wanna fight terrorism , or other Indian problems first we have to be united. we shd understand each other first. We say all Indians are my brothers and sister , but do we really consider each other as brother and sister??? There are many ways of reaching a target, u may take different path, I may take different path but our end goal shd be same. Here wht is happeing we are fighting within ourself. If one is not agree with my policy or way he is my competitor? Why we don’t understand that politicians are just dividing us to keep us busy among ourself. Friends there is urgent need to unite looking at world scenario, we are already nowhere in world, and world has taken advantage of us every time. If we won’t wakeup now then it will be too late . I urge everyone to leave our personal ego and differences aside and come together to fight.

  18. B Shantanu says:

    Excerpts from SIMI’s ‘success’ is a result of our secular polity

    ‘In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected.‘ – Tsun Tzu, ancient Chinese philosopher

    The Students Islamic Movement of India, Wikipedia informs us, was formed in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh in April 1977. The stated mission of SIMI — the ‘liberation of India’ from Western materialistic cultural influence and to convert it into an Islamic society — makes it an enemy of the State of India.

    …Yet SIMI remains virtually un-debated by the polity and the intelligentsia of the country.

    …(It) is largely an unknown commodity in India, especially to the common man. What are its objectives? What are its guiding philosophies? How does it operate and what makes it the centrifugal force of terrorism in India? Crucially, what makes it devastating despite a ban by the central government?

    The answers to all these questions are not difficult and need not be a subject matter of speculation as these are in the public domain.

    SIMI — a fact file

    Basic research about SIMI reveals something stunning as well as chilling. SIMI believes in leading human life on the basis of the Quran as well as propagation of Islam in India. While there is nothing wrong about these two objectives, as these are guaranteed by the Constitution, the third — jihad for the cause of Islam — makes it a potent terrorist organisation.

    SIMI does not believe in a nation-state. To amplify further, SIMI’s ultimate aim is to have an Islamic caliphate with an Islamic India an integral part of such an arrangement. And to achieve this, SIMI sees secular, democratic modern India as a hurdle. Yet it is the secular cabal that acts as a cheerleader for SIMI!

    …(in effect) SIMI is basically a fundamentalist organisation that not only rejects other beliefs, ideals, as well as other ‘anti-Islamic cultures’, it in fact seeks to systematically eliminate them. Ideologically, SIMI maintains that the concepts of secularism, democracy and nationalism, keystones of the Indian Constitution, are antithetical to Islam.

    Parallel to its rejection of secularism, democracy and nationalism is its oft-repeated objective of restoration of the ‘caliphate’, emphasis on ummah and the need for jihad to establish the supremacy of Islam.

    …And in the process, SIMI is at war with India. And in this war SIMI gets all the funding, training as well as strategic help from various countries. If Osama provides it ideological inspiration, Pakistan and others provide it strategic, financial and military support, overtly or covertly.

    But what about support within India?

    While it may be easier to blame others, especially in the neighbourhood, the fact of the matter is that the success of SIMI lies exclusively within India. It is patently unjust to blame an entire community. Quite the contrary, the rise and success of SIMI is a direct product of our secular polity and the manner in which successive governments have handled this convoluted yet crucial issue.

    It may be recalled that SIMI was first banned — the first and preliminary steps at containing it — by the then National Democratic Alliance government on September 27, 2001, immediately following the terror attacks in the US on September 11, 2001. This ban remained till September 27, 2003. …

    The second ban, in effect the extension of the first, was between September 27, 2003 and September 27, 2005. The government of India had effected a third ban on SIMI from February 8, 2006. Therefore SIMI was in effect legally in existence between September 28, 2005, and February 7, 2006.

    The third ban on SIMI was lifted by Delhi high court tribunal on August 5, 2008, which has since been stayed by the Supreme Court. ‘Material given by the home ministry is insufficient, so ban cannot be continued,’ Justice Geeta Mittal, a sitting Delhi high court judge, had said while lifting the ban. Obviously, the hydraulic power of the secular polity, with a proven soft corner to SIMI, had its desired effect on our bureaucracy.

    But how did secular India react to all these acts of SIMI? Consider this:

    Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav said the ban on SIMI was wrong in the first place.

    …Salman Khurshid, president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress committee, was the counsel defending SIMI in the high court and in the Supreme Court against the ban.

    …It may be noted that while our secular polity was explicitly exonerating SIMI, a study by the Institute of Conflict Management headed by K P S Gill, had clearly listed over 100 terror incidents from 2000 to 2008 which involves SIMI.

    …Substantiating the finding of this institute, even a spokesperson of the Indian government told the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal held in New Delhi that contrary to notions that SIMI’s activities declined following its ban, the organisation “had stepped up its subversive activities and was involved in almost all major explosions, communal violence and circulation of inflammatory material across the country.” And it is this group that the secular polity virtually exonerates without any remorse!

    Let us not make any mistake — we are amidst a war, a war with a faceless enemy. But it is not the only advantage that our enemy has. As explained above, the approach of our polity rationalises, legalises and sanctifies terrorism in India. It is this attitude of the secular polity makes the faceless enemy that much potent. It is time that we the ordinary people realised this simple fact.

    As the Chinese philosopher said centuries ago, war is for peace. Unfortunately a country that has Ashoka (who renounced war and became a pacifist) as its model and hence does not even cognise the fact that it is amidst a war runs the risk of being a failure as a State and faces the prospect of disintegration.

    It is time that we need to wage a war, both against such terrorists and those who are apologists for such terrorists. In the interregnum, of course, politicians from the safe haven of Z-plus category security can continue to pontificate. Whether we will be alive to hear them is a different matter.

  19. v.c.krishnan says:

    Dear Sir,
    There is definetely something very flawed regarding SIMI. I am unable to put a finger on it. It does not stand to reason as to why a group of people are trying to destroy themselves. Is it not corny?
    If the people referred to are supposed to be so intelligent as to wage a war of terror through the internet and using the most modern technology, don’t you think that there is a missing link somewhere?
    Do you think that they do not or not aware of the fact that it will be well nigh impossible for them to win the war?
    Do you think, as an individual that, if they are so well in the twenty first century, they do not comphrehend that this type of war will lead them to nowhere except hatred towards themselves and their community?

    I feel that there is a greater conspiracy, and I believe that it is coming from the outside. I feel that if there be a war between the Hindu and the Muslim only one sect can benefit.
    If you notice it is only within the past four years, during the second regime of a particular evangilist president that this type of SIMI terrorism has reached its peak.
    If you notice all these years a nation very close to our western borders, has been a friend against the supposed war on teror for a president of a big nation. Today at the fag end of his term the same person is biting the hand that fed him. That is another story!
    I think that this terror theory with SIMI thrown in should be looked into by our intelligence in a new way.
    If you look at it the same sect is targeting the BJP ruled or supported states for bringing in Central Rule in those states.
    I think it a larger plan supported by a very devious secret organisation which is playing its role very successfully putting Indian vs Indian.
    May be my reasoning is skewed, and I hope it is so. But I am throwing my thoughts on this palce for some replies, how ever harsh they may be.
    regards,
    vck

  20. Indian says:

    One more blast and see what Sonia madam is shouting in the below link,
    http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/sep/27delblast8.htm

    Haven’t she started speaking the language of Modi! Well said Sonia, now you are akin to Modi. Hope you get even a one fourth attitude and understanding of work of Modi.

    Readers dont forget to read the comments by public. All are furious. I thik Hindus are very calm, if it would have happen with some other religion public would have been on the street by now, compared to church priests who protested coming out on the street without taking dip into their misdeeds.

  21. Indian says:

    I was watching Shivraj patil’s interview on cnn ibn, Rajiv Serdesai. Mr. Patil was telling I am here because of the blessings of Cong., but his smile was saying Sonia’s blessing.

    My question to Mr. Patil, weren’t you capable for holding this post? You deserved this post because of blessings not by your virtues and qualities? Stooping low? Dont you think Sonia mam is playing with the lives of public? Dont you think Gandhi family is very clever, they know what tricks to be used for appointing ministers and make them their slave?
    Mr. Patil where is your self respect? It is better to be step down than remainig on blessing.

  22. Indian says:

    http://haindavakeralam.com/HkPage.aspx?PAGEID=7148&SKIN=C

    Nice piece, It says it is unfortunate to have politicians who are aiming vote bank and appesements and for them SIMI is innocent, but VHP is communal!

    Shivraj Patil said somewhere SIMI or Ind., Mujhaddin are misguided brothers! Really! So that makes them less communal and criminals?