In this day and age of technology,sophisticated armoury,nuclear arsenal and international convention on tackling terrorism,India is still lagging behind in terms of pre empting and effectively tackling terrorism,ethnic violence and esp 'home grown' terrorists like Naxaliites.Political leaders like to play to the gallery by saying there will be zero tolerance as far as terrorism is concerned but time and again this has been nothing but an empty rhetoric.The commercial capital of the country is unfortunately becoming a very soft target of the terrorists and it has become very vulnerable to terror strikes. Its ridiculous to think and say Mumbai has an indomitable spirit,its a city of resilient people and it never gets demoralised.The general public is angry,frustrated and disillusioned with the government,police and also democratic institutions like media,judiciary and bureaucracy.
No one seems safe in India as far as terror attack is concerned and India has not learnt it lessons despite attack on parliament,serial blasts in virtually all metropolis,26/11 terror attack in mumbai,terrorism in kashmir and secuirty threat posed by illegal bangladeshi immigrants. Politicians indulge in blame game after terror attacks, after terror attacks politicians across party lines must come on a common platform to show solidarity and commitment to tackle terrorism leaving aside ideology and vote banks and giving solace to victims of terror.War against terror will be successful when politicians rise above party considerations and consider terrorism as a global menace which can be dealt with only when all our policy makers think in terms of security as a serious issue rather than a political agenda meant to garner votes.
Anti terror laws may be draconian but are a necessary evil and there needs to be checks and balances within it,Human Rights concerns must also be addressed within the provisions of this law,equipping the police is the need of the hour, the local police needs special training in dealing with terror strikes which entails great degree of alacrity and anticipation. If security remains a mere concern only in words not in action then there will be sorry state of affairs and further deterioration in law and order and terror strikes will persist and continue till security becomes as significant as a budget,Lok Pal Bill and any other legislation that is hotly debated in Parliament,its time politicians address security in national interest rather than a political tool for scoring brownie points over ones political adversaries and opponents for vested interest.
