Stand with the true colours of India

The scourge of Mumbai terror strikes on 26/11 has set the ways for the transformation of a new India—calm as well resolute, firm and united—with undivided communal bonds.

The bright side of the this massacre, if any, is that it has given us the opportunity to defeat terrorism and destroy its roots and branches with the help and support of world community, and above all has infused us with one intent — save the true colours of India-one Nation, one People.

As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrapping up the debate on Mumbai carnage in the Lok Sabha Thursday, calling people to be remaining calm and resolute and stand firm as one nation and one people, said in this time of adversity the “true mettle of a nation is tested.”

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani in his address to the House referred an instance from Mahabharata when Yudhisthir asks his brothers to help Kauravas in their battle against enemy as despite differences 100 Kauravas and 5 Pandavas are 105 together for the enemy, and said despite our political differences we are one, we are united against our common enemy.

Seeking cooperation from all people, from all political parties, Dr. Singh said truth and righteousness are on our side and together we will give a fitting reply to the nefarious design of terrorists aimed at wrecking India’s functioning democracy and pluralistic society.

“The Mumbai terror attack was a very calculated and sinister attack, intended to cause widespread terror and damage to the image of India. The forces behind these attacks wanted to destabilize our secular polity, create communal discord and undermine our country’s economic and social progress,” Dr. Singh said and added, “We will not countenance a situation in which the safety and integrity of our citizens are violated with impunity by terrorists or other militant forces.”

For this, Dr. Singh said, we have to work at three levels. Firstly, we have to galvanize the international community into dealing sternly and effectively to dismantle permanently the epicentre of terrorism, which is located in Pakistan.

We, now, could not be satisfied with mere assurances but expect concrete action. The use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy is no longer acceptable. No double standards in the global fight against terrorism can be tolerated, Dr. Singh said and added, political will of the international community must be translated into concrete and sustained action on the ground.

Secondly, we have unequivocally taken up the matter with the Government of Pakistan the use of their territory for launching an attack of this kind and the need for the strongest possible measures against the perpetrators of such ghastly acts.

Thirdly and most importantly, we need to equip ourselves more effectively to deal with such kind of unprecedented threat and challenge to our country’s unity and integrity. For this many actions are being taken and will be taken to shield and strengthen our security system and intelligence agencies to combat external as well as internal threat.