People's Democracy

EDITORIAL

BJP Continues Its Sinister Agenda

THE cynical and diabolic manner in which the awesome human tragedy perpetrated by terrorist attacks on September 11 in the USA is being used to further the agendas of various forces is both inhuman and dangerous. Through these columns we have been warning that US imperialism is seeking to utilise the world-wide legitimate anger against terrorism to strengthen its hegemonic grip over the world and to put in motion a more authoritarian domestic rule, where rights and freedoms are to be curtailed in the name of fighting terrorism.

In India, a different type of a sinister agenda is being furthered. The RSS-led Saffron Brigade is sparing no effort to channel the popular anti-terrorist sentiments among the people into communal lines. While Prime Minister, Vajpayee formally mouths that terrorism must be separated from religion, RSS spokesman, M.G. Vaidya, goes on record saying that, "all Muslims are not Jihadis, but all Jihadis are Muslims."

Reports in the national media inform us about the claims of senior BJP functionaries that "terrorism" will be the issue on which it will contest the forthcoming polls. This will be the main issue to be discussed at the Maha Adhivesan of the BJP's youth wing at Agra on October 13, in the presence of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. The coming BJP National Council and Executive meetings will likewise focus on the same issue. The BJP President has stated that the main resolution at these meetings will be the call to counter "this menace" (read Islamic terrorism).

For decades India has continued to pay a heavy price for the activities of various terrorist outfits. Thousands of people have lost their lives, including two former democratically elected Prime Ministers. The variety of terrorist organisations operating in the country do not subscribe to any one specific religion. From the groups in the North East to the LTTE, each has been responsible for the toll of innocent lives. The Indian people want and seek respite from such attacks.

The main concern of this Vajpayee government, however, seems to be to give a communal twist to this campaign against terrorism rather than combat to eliminate all varieties of terrorist groups. This is already beginning to have its effect. Reports of communal tension and attacks are coming in from various places in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and elsewhere. It would be a greater tragedy for India if such diabolic attempts were to succeed. For the sake of their partisan electoral interests, the BJP and the Saffron Brigade are prepared to sacrifice the very unity of the country and the communal harmony in our society.

The response of some of the Islamic fundamentalist organisations only adds fuel to the fire. The provocative statements by the Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid that the US strikes against Afghanistan are a "war against Islam" can only inflame passions further. Hindu communalism and Islamic fundamentalism feed on each other. In the process, it is innocent people who become the casualty and it is India that has to bear the cost.

Such sinister attempts to destroy the secular democratic fabric of our country must not be allowed to succeed.