What is the Colour of Terror?

With the BJP and its right wing allies still sulking over the use of ‘saffron terror’, they have yet again let off an opportunity to rid themselves of the tag of ‘communal parties’ and thus further exposed and confirmed their non-commitment to and belief in secularism. Given their history (of repeated vulnerability to a secular ideology!) one cannot expect these right wing parties to accept even the existence of saffron terror, leave alone condemn it. On the other hand, the behaviour of the Congress party is also equally distressing. Instead of extending full support to the Home Minister, P. Chidambaram, the party has distanced itself from ‘saffron terror’ remarks and has been trying to play it down and safe. All this has left many people wondering as to whether the Congress is really committed to reigning in saffron terror or is it only engaging in empty rhetoric.

Amidst this drama, where we see a coexistence of both denial to accept the existence of saffron terror (BJP and its right-wing allies) and of playing down the threat of saffron terror (Congress), one person that stands out is Mr Sharad Pawar who, I thought, at least once has spoken some sense! Though he should not to be spared of his share of criticism (for neglect of agriculture which has not been his priority even though he is the Minister for Agriculture and for the corruption in BCCI-IPL), he definitely deserves applause for saying- ‘ If ‘green terror’ is fine with them, why should ‘saffron terror’ upset them so much? Isn’t green too a colour in our national flag?

So what really is the colour of terror? Is it saffron or green or white?

It shouldn’t be forgotten that terrorism by any name is still terrorism. More importantly these colours are part of our national flag and any instance of whether saffron terror or green terror (even white terror!) amounts to tarnishing the national flag. It is really shameful that we aren’t really passionate about protecting our national flag and have allowed it to be tarnished by different terror groups.

When will we let our national flag fly more often and in many places than saffron flag or green flag or white flag?

The Dangerous Rise of Saffron Terrorism

The Home Minister, Mr P Chidambaram, while meeting the state police chiefs in New Delhi has expressed serious concern about the rise of 'saffron terrorism' led by radical Hindu groups. He has rightly advised the state police chiefs to be more vigilant. He deserves commendation for having highlighted this rising phenomenon. This observation, from the Union Home Minister, comes in the wake of a dangerous rise in the terror attacks linked to various saffron groups.
The Mecca Masjid blast in Hyderabad (2007), Ajmer Sharif Dargah blast (2007), Malegaon blasts (2008) and Goa blasts (2009) are some of the terror attacks linked to different saffron groups.
Besides, the saffron involvement can also be traced to the attacks on Christians in Orissa and in the church attacks in different parts of Karnataka.
Obviously this should have led to an all party consensus to restrict the further damage to the secular and democratic credentials of this nation. Unfortunately, the BJP and the Shiv Sena have objected to the use of 'saffron terror', which is a matter of grave concern. Unless the BJP and the other right wing parties stop being soft on these radical groups and distance themselves from such groups, there is bound to be more discord and disharmony.
Though one expects these police chiefs to take stringent action against those individuals and groups who spread hatred and cause division in the name of religion, it would largely be a 'mission impossible' in States ruled by governments that are perceived to be soft towards these saffron groups.
Anyone still hopeful of a change in a state like Karnakata?