Past few decades has seen a systematic rise of attacks against civilian populations and law enforcers across the world. The recent series of bombings in Sri Lanka, the attack on Indian security forces in Pulwama and the Holey Artisan Bakery attack in Bangladesh’s capital are some prime examples of terror attacks in the East. The subcontinent, home to multiple cultures and norms have seen ethnic and religious identities and believes harden over time.
The truth lies in the fact that these
former colonies has failed to build up
national identities for themselves since
independence to defend themselves against violence
Once the crown jewel of the British Empire, divisions have deepened over time in the subcontinent. The results can clearly be found in the rise of fundamentalism in India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, disenfranchisement of the Rohingya population in Myanmar, political instability in Maldives and Sri Lanka and so on. For now, everyone is blaming someone for all these miseries. Afghanistan blames Pakistan for its miseries, who in turn blame India for their troubles. India on the other hand puts the blame on the British for dividing the subcontinent. By allowing ascriptive identities within their political folds, Sri Lanka and Myanmar has raised ethnic and communal tensions. The same can be said about some parts of India. But the truth lies in the fact that these former colonies has failed to build up national identities for themselves since independence to defend themselves against violence.
Terrorists have no race, religion or country. They thrive on by causing harm to the lives of the innocents. Thus we need to be vocal against violence of all sorts. A zero tolerance policy should be maintained to root out terrorism from the society. At the same time, it is also necessary to sustain communal harmony and religious tolerance.