Sunday, February 22, 2009

India's Homegrown Terror Dilemma

The whole of India is still reeling from the terrorist attacks committed just three months ago. No place is more effected than that of Mumbai where over 170 lives were claimed. India has widely condemned Pakistan for allowing terrorist groups such as those who committed the attacks to gain a foothold within the regions. Still many people point to India's inner turmoil as a massive problem and possibly the cause of the widely publicised attacks on Mumbai. The fact the attacks were large scale and targeted at western passport holders as well as carried out in prominate tourist areas caused attention to be drawn to India's growing terrorist problems.

Tensions between Muslims and Hindus living within India and the region have always been on edge but have given rise to much of the terrorist activity in the last few years. Throughout India anti-extremist and anti-terrorist measures have been taken on all sides, insisting terrorism does nothing to aid religion. While politicians have said that Muslims within India should feel safe their are many who still feel the Muslim population is considered second rate and that they are often persecuted unfairly. The fact that some Hindu extremists groups are now being held accountable for similar bomb attack as those Muslim groups gives hope to the future of accountability on both sides. Religious leaders and politicians alike must continue to push an anti terrorism agenda with the hopes that India can settle its inner turmoil and look towards its ever growing future.

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