Will Terror Ever Be Outlawed?

The recent spate of bombings in Delhi and elsewhere has energised our politicians and commentators. We are looking for solutions, and making a new law is most attractive, it is easy, it makes a statement. But will it work?

We have to remember two things in this. The first is that the people who are behind the bombings, are willing to die. They don't think twice before sending trained people to go and get killed. Will a more draconian law deter them?

The second question we should ask ourselves is, will our police behave? What will keep the new law from becoming another instrument of torture, injustice?

These are hard questions, but they need to be asked before we rush to enact another law which will take away even the remnants of our liberties.

For example, in The Indian Express today, I read that a Ramesh of Thiruvallur, who reported the murder of his friend was arrested and beaten by the police to confess. He was in jail for eight days. After The Indian Express, in yesterday's issue, reported his incarceration, the police slapped a petty charge on him, and produced him before a judicial magistrate, who levied a fine of Rs.500. The police gave Ramesh the amount so that he could walk out. May be Ramesh is lying about all this.

But what about the parents of the victim? They say that for three days, the police have been harassing them, their two daughters and the son-in-law to name Ramesh as a suspect. "We were treated like animals," says the father of the dead man, " If the torture continues, our family will be forced to commit sucide"

If this happens to a common, ordinary citizen of this country under the existing laws, what will be the situation of the suspects of a bomb blast if more draconian laws come in?

Let us get this clear. No amount of law making will staunch the flow of blood. The people who are behind this are out of this country. They don't care who gets killed. And if, we in our desperation, take away our liberties, it will only inspire them to greater excess.

I am a devout person. If I were a Muslim, I would want to instil in my son respect for my faith. But if his faith will make him a victim of terror, how would I feel about it?

I do not want to be in their place. If he is too devout, he is likely to gravitate towards violence. And even if he does not care, by some chance, by some hint of suspicion, his freedoms could be taken away from him. This is not right. A law that is seen as unjust in conception and implementation, will produce only victims, martyrs and will inspire revenge.

Looking at the immediate future of our nation, I think we should have the courage to accept the fact that there will be blood, and the vision that will accept that there could also be peace.