India Observes Anti-Terrorism Day Today

Terrorism is the most serious threat that we face in today’s world. It is a heinous crime that knows no human emotion – no love, no mercy and no compassion. It is incumbent upon all human beings to condemn the atrocious act of terrorism and we have a moral duty not to condone or justify terrorism of any hue. On the 18th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was tragically killed by terrorists at Sriperumbudur in 1991, India observes Anti-Terrorism day today.

Anti-Terrorism day is observed to wean away youth from embracing the deadly theories of terrorism by highlighting how it is a cause of large scale human suffering and how it is inimical to the national interest and the interest of humanity. We Indians are born and brought up in a culture of non-violence; we gained our independence by struggling mainly on the high moral ground of non-violent resistance. Therefore it is the inherent moral duty of all Indians to reject the idea of terrorism, which is based only on violence and brutality.

Terrorism has been used by left-wing and right-wing ideologists to gain their desired objectives, religious fanatics to reign in supremacy of their religion, nationalists to gain independence and some countries, as a state policy. More and more terrorist groups are using modern technology to inflict more shock on people as a means of coercion. They are using satellite phones, internet connectivity and high-technology weapons to wage their crude war. There is a constant threat of terrorists getting hold of nuclear weapons that are in the vaults of unscrupulous nation states. We can remain oblivious to the threats of terrorism only at our own peril. We need to be aware of the dangers of terrorism and violence and we should do everything possible for a mass awakening against the cynical designs of the terrorists to destroy humanity. This is a day meant exactly for that – to take a pledge to abandon flawed ideals of terrorism, to ostracise terrorists and to take every possible action to promote peace, harmony and understanding among all our fellow human beings.