Indian Attacks: What aimed?

The world has been shaken up by another series of terror attacks hit the heart of India, a multi-ethnic democracy experiencing severe problems with its minority nearly 200 million Muslims in the country and neighboring Pakistan. 60-hour clashes between terrorists and Indian security services resulted in more than 190 dead including civilians along with 300 wounded. Terrorist attacks raised concerns over Indian nationals treatment toward Indian Muslims, neither Indian Muslims nor Pakistani militias took the responsibility of attacks.

The world has staged into a new phase of struggle between terrorists and states (see my previous discussion under the article Terrorists vs. States). States do not fight each other any more and if they do, this is because a particular state by this way or another supports terrorism, directly or indirectly, and the terrorism in a victim state survives by virtue of military and/or financial support of another state. Terrorist acts are easier to conduct and facile to take the responsibility. Terrorism sounds more fearful than war today and incites more paranoia among all levels of society. It architects colossal amount of hatred and abhorrence, causing escalation of animosity due to its immoral and non-ethical nature. Basically, a performer is hidden and sometimes their intentions are blur.

Terrorism is not an angry response; nor is it an action to stop evil. It is purely political with the only aim to make public attention paid to certain issues for purposes either to stir up already existing fragile confrontation or to make a new agenda in public to hide other issues. Indian attacking, in effect, needs to be examined in this context.

Symbols are vital: tourists, Jewish people, British and American hostages. Consuming much energy and training, terrorism, like war, is not committed for only a single reason or a political purpose. Actors plan to achieve several goals with a single action. Terrorists, as seen, attempted to put as many people layer as possible against one another through getting covered in major public opinion shapers - papers and TV.

Terrorists primarily attacked to hotels with full of tourists. Up to 100 people were hostage in hotel; many of them are British and Americans. More than 200 people reportedly killed. Deccan Mujahideen claimed the responsibility yet authorities do not believe that they were the performers. India suffered a lot from previous terror attacks. In 2006, Mumbai railway attacks resulted in 180 killed and several dozens wounded.

These attacks have been carried on in numerous places; experts argue that locals cannot do without considerable foreign help. India worsened its relations with Pakistan claimed that Pakistan-linked terrorists acted behind last week's massacre. Pakistan, in turn, declared that it would take necessary measures in case they find out anything related within their territory.

Another conspiracy connected to Mumbai bombings were about undermining India as a rising star. Terrorism that could put tranquility of people and peace in the country under a considerable threat along with making religiously and ethnically very diversified nation confront seem to be a tool to hinder India's escalating economic power and its role in the region. Economy and investment love trust, faith, belief, hope and stability. If investors and economists can't see the light at the end of tunnel, there is no way that country can continue growing economically.

Furthermore, after World War II, by no any reason could any state interfere to the political and territorial sovereignty of others. Wars could be justifiable by that time; however, public opinion was so strong that states seek other ways to justify their actions. As said earlier, terrorism seems to be more fearful than war and thus justifies and legitimates all actions in war on terror.

Putting Pakistan and India against each other is one of the possible options to be considered. Pakistan and India experienced several armed fighting over disputed territory of Kashmir currently being controlled by India and heavily populated by Muslims. In effect, Pakistan and India is rapidly developing and similarly in Iran-Iraq war, painful and long war can put these two countries behind. After the attacks, India started deploying troops nearby Pakistani border and so did Pakistan the same.

Local elections in India are approaching. With more than 150 millions Muslim population, municipalities are getting ready to elect Muslim governors and even in Indian's populated areas, Muslims candidates lead the pre-election prediction lists. These attacks would certainly decrease the Muslims honor and popularity and nation-wide protests against them will result in ballot failure for Muslim candidates.

Besides all, terrorism is only aimed at creating hatred between nations and fomenting prejudices to clear idea about an enemy. For instance, say, Americans have certain beliefs regarding Muslims before 9/11 and media was constantly propagating how violent Muslims are. As a result of 9/11, people have clearly came to an idea what was media was inciting and sparking about. A careful glance over places where terrorism is widespread, we see the similar trend.

Whatever power governs the world; it is true that in order to get one nation out of the international system or inhibit its development and becoming an actor, they create an enemy for them, terrorize a 'constructed' enemy and label the country as an 'evil'.

India, Turkey, Britain, America, Iraq are countries having social and ethnical cleavages and terrorism played a major role in destabilizing these countries. Why not, say, in Japan, Canada or in Australia there is no a sign of terror. Terrorism is not about 'evil' people do not know what they do. They are apparently controlled and directed by certain web what I would as a house of a spider - web. Some lines can be erased, temporarily built and depict certain pattern. International System is this web.

Mahir Zeynelov