Essay on TERRORISM

TERRORISM

Terrorism is a system of frightening people, to make them do what the terrorists want. Senator Denton, an American politician has called it “the most widely practiced form of modern warfare”. These activities of terrorism are both fashionable and fascinating or are romantic fights for freedom, but are criminal actions plain and simple. It is a law of the jungle to use muscle power and force to get things done. It is a barbarian act, people who are disgruntled and who are unable to get their desires fulfilled by normal and accepted methods in society, are resorting to terrorism. There has been exploitation of the weak and the poor for centuries by the rich and the powerful. When all representations and appeals of non-violent nature failed to yield any response, the frustrated and the oppressed resort to violence as there is no other alternative. Such protests are called terrorist activities. The motives behind terrorism may be personal or political. Whatever the motives of the terrorists may be, they affect National Integration.

Today terrorism is a world-wide problem ranging from aircraft hijacking to planting bombs in aircraft’s. Brutal Airlines plane in December 1999 was also an ugly face of terrorism. It is often seen that terrorist groups whether in India or Sri Lanka or elsewhere in the world (e.g. Sept 9/11 attack on World Trade Centre in New York) receive money weapons and training from other foreign countries. These terrorists have unlimited access to sophisticated weapons. They believe that the highest form of revolutionary terrorism should utilize the most advanced science and technology and result in the greatest number of casualties in the most stunning manner. This philosophy was acted out in the 2001 by the Al Qaeda terrorists when on September 11, they used two planes to blow off the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in the heart of New York City causing the death of thousands of people and destroying the world-renowned prestigious buildings. The only Super Power in the world was caught off guard, totally defenseless against the new planned, well co-ordinate and the most massive suicide terrorist attack ever.

In India, terrorism has struck in the recent past in one form or another especially in Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Manipur and other States. The newspapers are filled with reports of violence, murders, explosions and shootings in many parts of the world. The examples are innumerable. In these terrorist activities hundreds of innocent men and women have died. Many of the official buildings were either destroyed or burnt to ashes, for no reason. Today it looks uncertain how long this lust for blood will continue, but it is rather obvious that these people have no other reason for the terrorist activities than creating fear among the people. It is perpetrated by fanatics who are utterly indifferent to the sanctity of human life.

Several steps are now being taken all over the world to control these activities such as the establishment of anti-terrorist forces to battle terrorism. Countries like Britain, Russia, Germany, U.S.A. have anti-terrorist squads. India has also established such squads to fight against terrorists/terrorism. The police and sundry para military forces have been present in certain area of the country where violence is at its worst. India has not only taken steps to check the terrorism in her own country but has helped her neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka and Maldives to fight against it.

The day is not far away when these terrorist activities in our country will come to an end as whenever any country has tried to threaten India’s integrity. India has always responded positively to maintain the dignity of her motherland which she had got after years of struggle.

Terrorism has emerged as a global threat requiring unified global response. It is never too late for the world to get united to fight a common enemy.