hankyoreh

At the end of a year in which the global village is already suffering from the global economic crisis, the savage terror attacks that took place in Mumbai make our spirits even darker. These attacks recall the horror of 9/11 in that indiscriminate attacks were carried out against innocent civilians, focusing on symbolic hotels in the heart of the Indian economy.

It still has not been determined precisely who committed these attacks, which left over 450 people dead or injured, and why. The possibility of a connection with Al Qaeda has been raised, in that foreigners were regarded as targets, though slightly more persuasive claims have placed the attacks as the acts of a spontaneously formed organization harboring discontent with inequality within India. But whoever they are, and whatever cause or pretext they may present, there is no way to justify acts of indiscriminate slaughter against innocent people. It is for this reason that international society has unanimously denounced these attacks.

But history testifies that terrorism cannot be ended merely by denouncement of it or hard-line responses like the so-called “war on terror.” This is because matters such as domestic and international injustice and socioeconomic, religious and racial discrimination breed terrorism based in extremism and hatred. The Mumbai attacks are no exception. A clear-cut example of this is the statement by one terrorist, who said that the attacks were revenge for the execution of Muslims and shouted, “We love this land as our home country too, but where were you when our mothers and sisters were killed?”

After the fall of the Mughal Empire in the 19th century, Muslims were subjected to discrimination in India based on the divisive policy of Great Britain, India’s colonial ruler, and the situation now is no different. A study by the Indian government showed that Muslims, who make up 13.4 percent of India's total population of 1.1 billion, are poorer and less educated than Hindus and have shorter average life spans. Muslim wrath was also provoked by the Indian government's refusal to acknowledge the self-determination rights of Kashmir, recognized in a 1948 UN resolution. Without a solution to this problem, a solution to terror at its roots becomes inevitably difficult.

Another worrisome point with regard to these attacks is the possibility that the issue might escalate into a conflict between India and Pakistan. The two nations have already been involved in an argument over where responsibility lies. But a confrontation between the two nations is not at all welcome, in that there are great concerns that it might harm stability in already unstable Southeast Asia and rock international society. It is for this reason that the United States and the rest of international society must encourage a rational response from the two nations.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]