Round-Table Discussion on Sanghi Terrorism

The severity of the menace of terrorism that has posed a grave threat to international peace can hardly be exaggerated. India, largely because of the ubiquitous presence of terrorist organizations in its neghbourhood such as Pakistan and Afghanistan, is among the worst victims of terrorist violence for more than two decades. In most of the terrorist attacks in different parts of India, the Pakistan-based terrorist outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba, Jaish-eMuhammed, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Jamat-ud-Dawa and many others with the covert support of the ISI were mainly involved. The Muslim terrorist groups were also allegedly involved in terrorist attacks in the US and Europe. In the popular perception, therefore, terrorism got associated with Islam and the frequently quoted observation across the world has been, all Muslims are not terrorists but all terrorists are Muslims. Such generalization about a major religious community of the world is without doubt unfair. Certain striking developments in recent times have added a new but frightening dimension to the scourge of terrorism in India, The most significant of these developments has been the confessions of a very senior member of the Sangh Parivar, Swami Aseemananda. He has recorded his statements first before the investigating agencies and later before a magistrate wherein he exposed the terrorist activities of some of the outfits that function under the umbrella of the Sangh. As per his confessions the blasts in Hyderabad, Ajmer, Malegaon as well as on Samjhuta Express were carried out by the Sanghi outfits. This is significant clinching evidence that confirms the involvement of some members of the majority community in terrorist activities. It is indeed an alarming development that might swallow up the entire South Asia in the flames of terrorist violence. In view of this dangerous development the Centre for Promotion of Democracy & Secularism and BUILD have jointly organised a Round-Table Discussion on The Emergence of Sanghi Terrorism to bring into consideration various aspects of terrorism with special reference to Sanghi terrorism. It was held on 9th Feb. 2011 at YMCA, International, Mumbai. The invitees comprise intellectuals, academicians, activists, writers and journalists who put forth their ideas and suggestions to counter terrorist activities. First, Rev. George Daniel, General Secretary of BUILD (Bombay Urban and Industrial League for Development) welcomed the guests who spared a day from their tight schedule to participate in the round-table discussion. He also suggested that the representatives of the like-minded NGOs and the persons who matter in forming opinion of the people should interact with each other at least once a year in similar round-table discussion. Rev. George Daniel also pointed that though the focus of the discussion was on Sanghi Terrorism, participants should discuss all aspects of terrorism including its various definitions, features and motives. Thereafter, Prof. Zaheer Ali, President of Centre for Promotion of Democracy and Secularism (CPDS), introduced the theme of the discussion. About the nomenclature Prof. Ali clarified: The leaders of the Sangh Parivar 1

including those of the BJP now emphatically insist that terrorism has neither a religion nor a colour usually associated with a religious community. It was because of this reason that the leaders of the BJP strongly protested when P. Chidambaram used the term saffron terror to describe the violent activities of the Hindu outfits. For want of any other appropriate term, therefore, we are using here the term Sanghi terrorism. Prof. Ali further added that Sanghi terrorism was not against Muslims alone. It was equally directed against Christians, Dalits, and Adivasis. He also spelled out the purpose of organizing the round-table discussion. According to him the activists associated with the CPDS and BUILD were looking forward to get simple, practical solutions from the well-informed participants so that they carry them out to fight against terrorism. Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer initiated the discussion by saying that he approved the nomenclature Sanghi terrorism because it was the product of various organizations that function under the umbrella of the RSS. He enlightened the participants about the history and ideology of the RSS and concluded that resorting to terrorism to do away with Muslims and Christians was the logical conclusion of the ideology of the Sangh Parivar. He suggested that the intelligentsia and the activists had a responsibility seculrise society in general and the police in particular. The morning session was presided over by a veteran intellectual-writeractivist, A.K. Mukadam in which Ms. Zeenat Shaukat Ali, professor of Islamic Studies at St. Xavier College, Mumbai and Chairperson of Wisdom Foundation was the principal presenter. She forcefully dispelled the popular impression that Islam approved of terrorist tactics. She explained the meaning of jihad in the light of the teachings of Islam. According to her the greatest jihad according to Islam is to fight against the evil thoughts of ones own mind.Juxtaposing the propaganda of Islamic terrorism with the current popular uprisings in the Arab world, in particular Egypt, she expressed the hope that the younger generation of the Muslims across the world would embrace democracy and secularism. Many participants enthusiastically commented on the ideas put across by Ms. Ali and sought clarifications on certain issues. A.K. Mukadam in his presidential comments largely agreed with the thrust of Ms. Alis presentation. He, however, pointed out that the focus of the discussion should be brought back to the problem of Terrorism and Sanghi terrorism in the Indian context. On account of his vast experience in the field of social activism, he made clear to the participants how enmity between the two major communities of India destroying our beloved motherland. In an objective analysis he highlighted many negative traits of the Muslim community as well. Nevertheless, he mAde it clear that the major tasks before the intellectuals, activists and media was to help seculrise society and the police. He shared his personal experience with the audience that some time back the police authorities had invited certain experts on Islam for lecture series to sensitise lower level police officers about Muslims and Islam. However, he was horrified when he found out that one of the so-called experts was Shri More who wrote a bulky tome with the sole purpose of denigrating Islam. Though Mr. Mukadam took 2

pains in making police authorities aware of the pitfalls in inviting staunch antiIslam persons as experts to teach about Islam. The police authorities, however, did not take the corrective measures. Mr. Mukadam forcefully asserted that the police force should be cleaned out of communal elements to create a truly democratic and secular society. In the post-lunch session Shri Hussain Dalwai, MLC and Chairman of Maulana Azad Vichar Manch was in the Chair and Shri Firoz Ashraf, a senior activist and Vice-President of Yukrand was the main presenter. Firoz Ashraf mainly traced the history of progressive and secular movements in Mumbai. Citing his own experiences he informed about the horrors of 1992-93 communal riots in Mumbai. He sadly noted that the communal forces are on the ascent. He, however, conceded that it would be only through education and progressive activism we could meet the challenge of Sanghi terrorism. His observations were widely appreciated by the audience. Hussain Dalwai in his presidential comments congratulated the organizers for holding a round-table discussion on such a significant topic. He conceded that Muslim communalism and Sanghi terrorism were serious challenges before Indian society but pointed out that Indian democracy had the inherent strength to face these challenges. He advised the activists to promote the message of communal harmony and secularism among the youths of India so that the future of our beloved country could be saved. Dr. Afaq Khan, the Vice-President of CPDS proposed the vote of thanks. The prominent participants, besides the ones already mentioned, included Dr. Surendra Jondhale, Prof. and Head, Department of Political Science, University of Mumbai, Sharat Nair of the Committee for Right of Housing, Rev. Michael, Uday Choudhary of AITUC Mohammed Wajihuddin of Times of India, Ms. Jyoti Punwani, freelance journalist, Ms. Ratna of BUILD and Khalid of CRH.

Zaheer Ali _______________________________________________________________