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 | In the footsteps of Advani Our Correspondent Having made the right kind of noises in the wake of the Mumbai blasts, now Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to wax eloquent at the G-8 Summit in St Petersburg about the need for adopting “zero tolerance” towards the scourge of terrorism. The most important leaders of the world will give a huge applause to the anguish that the premier of the largest democracy will express at the meet. More words will follow from the leaders—sympathy with the terror victims, resolve to end the menace of terrorism, and so on. But, unfortunately, words are of little worth unless they are backed with deeds. And this is India’s biggest problem. When faced with jihadi violence, our leaders seek to rely on words rather than on action. During his visit to Mumbai, Singh said the serial blasts were carried out by terror modules “instigated, inspired and supported by elements across the border.” In his address to the nation, he said, “Let me say again, no one can make India kneel. No one can come in the path of our progress. The wheels of our economy will move on. India will continue to walk tall, and with confidence. Let me assure you that the Government will do whatever is required to deal with the challenge at hand. We will win this war against terror. Nothing will break our resolve.” So many words. The Prime Minister also expects the rich and powerful G-8 nations to fight terror in all earnestness, but the action of his own government shows little firmness in doing so. Soon after coming to power, POTA was repealed—primarily to woo Muslim votes. Then law-enforcement agencies were directed to go slow on the jihadi modules; as a result, the number of the busted modules in 2005 was one-third of those in 2004. And now, members of Manmhan Singh cabinet are saying that it was not the Muslims who carried out the blasts! Such preposterousness sends a clear message down the line that anti-jihad action will not be appreciated at the highest levels. Singh is increasingly looking like former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani—brave in the use of words, timid in action. Now, as Leader of the Opposition, Advani is talking of “hot pursuit.” He was saying the same things in the pre-1998 period. But, while in office, he did not do anything to curtail jihadi violence. Like Advani, Singh has also started accusing Pakistan for the Islamist problem in India. Before urging the international community to show zero tolerance towards terrorism, the Prime Minister should himself demonstrate firmness in dealing with this menace. Resolve, like charity, begins at home. Posted on : 7/18/2006 Mail this article to your friend |