When terror came to the House

Mains Paper 4: Internal Security
Prelims level: CCIT
Mains level: Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism

Context

•  We have to build stronger coalitions against this scourge that is afflicting humanity attack on this day 17 years ago on the Indian Parliament.
•  Only 18 days ago, we paid tribute to the 166 people who were martyred in the Mumbai terror attack.
•  These are deep scars on our collective consciousness.
•  While India has been battling cross-border terrorism for the past several years now, in recent years, affected many other countries in different parts of the world.
•  Back in 1996, India brought before the United Nations a proposal for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).

Implementing CCIT

•  Unfortunately, it remains a draft even today.
•  They should explore concrete collaborative action to counter terrorism effectively.
•  Under no circumstances can terrorism in any form be justified.
•  A terrorist is a terrorist and there cannot be any talk of good and bad terrorism.
•  As stated by Prime Minister: “Humanist forces in the world will have to put pressure so that it is decided in black and white what is terrorism.”
•  Both the strike on Parliament and the Mumbai attack have outraged the collective psyche of Indians.
•  They have strengthened our resolve to combat all divisive, disruptive and destructive forces.
•  However, the web of terror is getting more vicious.
•  The masterminds behind this sordid episode, who are still at large, need to be brought to book.

Way forward

•  The world needs to wake up to this unpleasant reality and find an effective antidote, quickly and collaboratively.
•  On the domestic side, we need to strengthen our security apparatus on all fronts, including maritime and coastal security.
•  India need to further strengthen our resolve to tackle forces that encourage terror both within the country and outside, particularly from across the border.
•  It is unfortunate that attempts are being made to give a religious colour to acts of terror.
•  As India is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy and is seriously addressing numerous challenges, we cannot afford to dissipate our energy and resources on issues that don’t contribute to our development goals.
•  India and most countries in South Asia have some sections of their population living in poverty, Illiteracy, gender discrimination and disease continue to be areas of concern.
•  Our collective focus should be on improving the quality of life of our people.
•  Development and destruction can hardly co-exist. Peace and progress go together.

Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q.1) Consider the following statements about ‘Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism’ (CCIT)
1. It was proposed by India in 1996 and is now adopted by the UNGA
2. It addresses the issue of Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism in South Asia

Which of the following statements is/are correct?
a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None of the above

Answer: B

Mains Questions:
Q.1) Give your opinion on 'Causes of terrorism?' also suggest suitable measures to deal with terrorism in India.