For not fully-explained reasons, France is getting repeatedly devastated and pulverised by terror strikes. Is it because the French history of colonialism in Moslem dominated North Africa and consequent immigration, clashing with Western lifestyle, that such demonic acts are occurring? Or is it because, in the last few years, the French system has come down heavily against Moslem culture such as open display of Moslem identity such as the burqa? Or are these acts of madness result of some unknown mindset?
The November 2015 Paris attacks — the worst in France’s history — killed as high as 130 people and maimed nearly 400 in a mass shooting and suicide bombing frenzy. A state of emergency continued. Under the circumstances, alert was expected to be at its highest level across the country.
Still the horrendous July 14 Bastille Night attack happened. A terrorist driving a truck into a national day event, killed 84 people and injured over 200. The bewildered nation is still trying to regain its composure and looking around for reasons as to why this is happening to them.
In a country such as France, the system alone cannot be blamed. Unlike India, politicians in the West do not negatively interfere in the operations of the law and order machinery. Yet, terror strikes have today become a frightening reality across the globe. The Florida shootout, Dhaka killings, the attacks in Sydney, and even of late in Saudi Arabia, the epicentre of Islam, to name a few, prove that all governments have failed to contain and eliminate terrorism on their soils. In certain ways, every major urban centre, no matter in which country, is a potential Baghdad, Syria.
One is inclined to believe that the problem lies not with the system of protections and security, but with individuals having a kind of warped mindset. The evil actions of such people, who are indoctrinated of course, can neither be anticipated nor checked. Terror strikes at will, anywhere, and no amount of intelligence or security can altogether prevent it. As it was proven in France in the latest strike, the convoluted mind of a single individual can bring about massive devastation and loss of life. Running a vehicle over a crowd is an insane and unpredictable act. All it needs is a mindset, which does not require any firearms.
Notable is a Tweet from Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen which implies that moderate Moslems are now in a state of denial. The Tweet reads: “Moderate Muslims claim Muslim-terrorists are not Muslims. But why do they arrange Muslim funeral for dead Muslim-terrorists?” This is something to ponder over.
What also is deeply worrisome is that the Islamic world itself — represented by its mullahs — has somehow been twisting the education system imparted to its children.
The age group of terrorists shows that this is a recent phenomenon, probably from the past 25-30 years. With such a background, we in India have to be especially cautious.
An extreme sense of intolerance is all too evident. Hatred started with the funnelling of funds from oil-rich Saudi Arabia for Madrassa style Islamic education to poor millions across the world. Now, ironically, the devilish hands of terror has reached up to Saudi Arabia as well, as is evident from the July 2016 terror attacks at three cities including the religious centre of Medina. Among the arrested were a set of Pakistani nationals.
Humanity is drawn into a state of existence wherein every individual across the world, no country barred, has to be alert and would need to be aware of his surroundings. As seen in the recent past, terror strikes are mostly aimed at populated celebratory crowds. No system is capable of protecting anyone anymore.
The Nice incident has proven as much in a more scary way. The TV visuals of hapless crowds running for cover as the truck mowed down revellers were tell-tale evidence of how unprepared the society is to face such situations. This should make every conscious Indian avoid crowded places as much as possible and remain ever alert for personal security.
