Handling terror: why this double-standard?

Now that it is getting clear each day that Jamia Nagar encounter, like many fake encounters in this country, has something fishy about it, the role of police, investigating agencies and the media stops at one point – a single focus on Muslims to blame – so much so that even senior journalists like Praful Bidwai has voiced concerned about it. In his article, “Delhi Encounter Raises Tough Questions” (The News International September 29, 2008) writes: “The term "terrorism" is never used in respect of Hindu-extremists like the Bajrang Dal, VHP or the Shiv Sena despite their self- confessed killing of hundreds of innocent non-Hindu citizens.”

Since medium is the message, constant publicity via print as well as electronic media on terror related ‘breaking news’ has made every citizen believe that Muslims are in fact involved in all these blasts that took place in recent times. While every bomb blast is rightly highlighted, due attention is not given to terror unleashed by other outfits like VHP and Banjrang Dal; we are yet to see or listen to a single name being branded on 24x7 TV channels for crimes unleashed on innocent people in Orissa (Kandhamal district) and Karnataka. For example, Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad’s (ATS) investigation revealed that Bajrang Dal activists made bombs in Nanded in 2006. They were also involved in planting bombs in three mosques since 2003. But ATS & CBI watered down charges. In August 2008, two Dal men were killed while making bombs in Kanpur. Huge cache of explosives seized. But media and police remained passive and forgetful. This is a case of double-standard.

Muslims, in general, have some genuine grievances and questions. Why TV do channels not show courage in telecasting live names of accused that have been indulged in rioting, killing, arson and creating terror in Orissa? Isn’t it a deliberate act in sitting on a judgmental seat and delivering verdict in news related to terror attacks in which Muslims are supposed to be involved, while letting off terror unleashed by VHP and Bajrang Dal as if no notice is given to this? Why cannot media think of some other individuals and organisations as suspects that could do this heinous crime in the name of Muslims? Why does the government not take Muslims in confidence while dealing with terror related case?

Even bigger menace is the way police and investigating agencies have been behaving while conducting raids, or arresting scores of innocent Muslim youth on the pretext of suspicion. It is highly surprising that the eyes of lead-in suspicion never falls on anyone other than Muslim individual or organisations. There have been many instances where the police have later conceded that it was case of mistaken identity, but in the process of arresting and keeping custody, media highlighted it as culprits, which means the damage is done. During raid, the police do not even show their I-cards, they just barged into any house they suspect, brandishing automatic weapons. They do not follow proper procedure, even do not shows or procure a copy of the FIR.

The general feeling, as I have talked to scores of people of various walks of life in Jamia Nagar area, is that Muslims hate terrorism as much as anyone else, then why the police and media continue to harass them; Muslims like to help the police if they behave properly; Muslims would love to be part of finding out terrorists; and Muslims yearn for an end to this menace as none but the community has to face the wrath in all cases.

The people in Jamia Nagar, like other places where such things happen, are scared to even speak to, fearing someone could listen to and then he could be in trouble. Some of them whom I spoke to conceded that the police also work in tremendous pressure, and in order to show some results, they indulged in such cases where there are likely chances of human rights violations. But why have the police sieged the area with heavy presence of personnel now?

Global experiences have shown that excessive use of force or stringent laws have failed to end terrorism. And since Indian socio-political environment is different from all others, it has to consider the sensitivity of various social groups. If we have to end the scourge of terror, the government needs to take people of all communities in confidence. However, such harsh treatment to a community only adds to injury. We must understand this.