TERRORISM

Submitted to: Dr.OM Prakash Department of Sociology Christ University

Date: 11-07-2011 Bangalore

Submitted by: Akhil Paul Reg.No 0914260

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Terrorism is the most dangerous form of violence in todays world and it is the same problem, which we have been facing in India for more than two decades.1 Today terrorism is perceived as a problem capable of destabilizing not only national but also international politics. Terrorism recent times have affected both developed and

developing countries of the world. It is an overwhelming impulse or hysteric or dread.2Terrorism is a violent behavior designed to generate fear in the community and getting done the personal needs of certain groups of people. The only aim of terrorist groups is to reach their goals in any means. In fact the recent bomb blast in Delhi as well as the attack of IIS campus in Banglore were another face of terrorism in the country. In India Kashmir is the most terrorist affected area. Terrorists have struck many places in Jammu and Kashmir. We can listen every day that many people are being killed, many are being exploited, and government is struggling to maintain peace in the state and so on. They are targeting ministers, innocent people, military forces, landlords, line of control, pilgrim centers in order to get the attention of the media. By killing these many innocent people what do these terrorists gain? This is the normal question that comes to our minds as soon as we here about terrorism. Terrorism can not be wiped out from the face of the earth for so long as there are disparities between the haves and have-nots,

1 2

. B.P.Singh Sehgal, Global Terrorism (NewDelhi: Deep&Deep publications, 1996), P.115 .Ibid.

racism, religious intolerance, fundamentalism, unequal distribution of natures bounty and so on.3 We must make attempt to reduce to the extent possible these disparities. The solution to the demon of terrorism does not lie with political or the military, it can be solved only by the peoples participation with the government. Terrorist acts are committed for various reasons. Some terrorist groups support a particular political philosophy. Other terrorist organizations represent ethnic group

seeking liberation from governments in power. 4 Most their terrorist groups fight against their justice. In country like India we find many types of terrorist groups based upon religion cast and politics. Terrorism may cross national boundaries. A quarrel in one nation may produce attacks in several other neighboring countries. Some governments strictly support terrorist groups by weapons, training and money for attacks in other countries.5 The only aim of terrorist groups is to reach their goals through any warfare and violence. It is the greatest problem that our country faces in this twentieth century. A.Meaning and Definition of Terrorism Terrorism is the use or threat of violence to create fear and alarm. Terrorism is known as the synonym of violence. Its meaning can be understood by the meaning itself. It has every thing to do with the violence and terrorTheir acts are committed for various

3 4

. E. Dsouza, Has the World War Begun, The Examiner, CLII, No.42 (October, 2001), 6.

. Sehgal, P.56.
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. Naunimal Singh, World Terrorism and New Age Movement, (Delhi: Authors press, 2002), P. 53.

reasons.They try to reach their aims through killing, looting, kidnapping political leaders and other important people and destroying the socio-economic structure of the nation.6

B.History and Development of Terrorism Terrorism has deep root in the history.Terrorist tactics have been used for hundred years. An American group, the ku kluxklam, used violence to terrorize blacks and their sympathisizes after the end of civil war in 1865 and during 1930s, the dictators Hitler of Germany, Mussolini of Italy and Stalin of Soviet Union used terrorism to discourage opposition to their government. So in this way many terrorists groups originated in this society CAUSES OF TERRORISM Every effect has its cause likewise there are causes, which are boosting the growth of terrorism in the country. Terrorism is one of the main problems, which we have been facing in India for more than two decades. The main causes of terrorism are poverty, illiteracy, religious fundamentalism, and unemployment. A. Poverty Poverty is the main cause of terrorism. Poverty means the relative ability to submit7 poverty is something that merely connected with the lack of basic needs. When people struggle to meet their livelihood in accordance with their daily earning society considers them as poor and they live under poverty line. Unfortunately by forcefully or coercing these people win to bring these people under their control. Through these ways
6 7

. James Fernandez, Social Problems, 7th ed (New Jersy: Eagle Wood Cliff Publications, 1992), P.28. . Singh, P.103.

these groups expand their empire through out the world. So this way many poor people fall in the trap of these groups of people and will have to lead a life, which has no security till the end of their life. This is how poverty becomes one of the causes of terrorism in the country. B. Unemployment Unemployment is another problem that causes terrorism as the poverty, which the send world countries face today. There are billions of qualified youngsters in these countries living without having any job. Unless the government is not going to bring the new and innovative schemes and policies to employ or to satisfy these youth and put off this wild fire from the minds of this future generation, this whole world will burn to ashes in the fire of their hat redness. C. Religious Fundamentalism Religion is something that is similar to force that unites people one roof or under the same belief, and which creates a kind of feeling in the mind of people whoever they are and where ever they may be, that they are one and they are united in one belief. Whenever we go we see this unity in the people.If you look at the world countries we can find a trend that some of the people of the majority religions in particular nations take the responsibility of the safe guard and persecute the people of other religions and country. Even our country is not away from the clutches of this religious fundamentalism. 8 By saying the name of the religion these people try to cheat the number of believers and try to gain their personal intentions. But we the two-legged animals, who claim to be intelligent and claver fail to understand the real motive of these people.
8

. Sehgal, P.117.

EFFECTS OF TERRORISM

Terrorism never brings any good to the society and its people but causes to the destruction of the growth of the society. It brings disunity among the people, it brings down the value of the money, and it brings all kinds of misery in the lives of the people. In our society we can see the effects of terrorism in different levels. The main effects of terrorism are considered to be financial, socio-cultural and political effects. A. Financial Effects Apart from any other effect, effect of terrorism on economy well be noticed largely. All traders and businessmen are looking very carefully on the variation and changes that happens in the share markets. When attack takes place, sometimes it may have the capacity to shake even the foundations of the marketing system and as all these businesses and marketing are very much connected to the countrys economy, It even affects countrys economical system.

Most of the attacks are well planned to weaken the country economically. And it is an interesting fact that the most of the terrorist attacks are aimed at the developed and developing countries of the world in order to bring down their growth in the areas of economy socio-culture and politics. B. Socio-Cultural Effect

As the terrorism affects the economy of a country, it brings very deep and bad effects on the society and the culture of the people. Socio-cultural effects of terrorism are deep rooted and will have a lasting effect on the society as well as son the people of the 6

society. Each stack become an obstacles or brakes for the growth of the society. It is very true that Mr. Sharma said, Growing terrorism applies brakes on this movement towards a better society.9 So in brief we can conclude by saying that terrorism has its effects on the society as well as in the different cultures in the country. C. Political Effect Political effect is yet another result of terrorism in the country. Effect of terrorism in the field of politics is a big issue in our society. We see dramatical changes in the field of politics; most these issues are due to the force of underworld kings and terrorist groups. These groups are capable of bringing political disorders and its associated effects in the country is yet another fact. 10 By targeting the high authorities and ministers, one way they succeeded to destroy the image of the political parties as well as our countrys image also in front of other world countries. These attacks can totally shake the governments like our coalition government in India. within the political party itself. This can bring even chaos

To solve these problems of terrorism, a deeper to it is warranted. From these

examination of the circumstances and causes leading

points it is clearly understandable that the aftermaths of terrorism in the political field too as crucial as any other field of life. CONCLUSION Terrorism is, in fact, has become a global phenomenon. It has become a complicated problem and it has adversely affected the relationship between many countries in recent times. So far no country has escaped from the clutches of terrorism.
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10

. Lalita Iyer, Striking at the Head, The Week, XXI, No. 45 (October, 2003), 42. . Sehgal, P.199.

India is always against the anti-social activities of these groups.

India has always

supported and encouraged other countries to fight against terrorism. These terrorist activities or attacks condemned the peaceful and harmonious lives of the people. Many innocent people have become the prey to these attacks. Terrorism is the greatest

violator of the human rights.11 In our modern society this terrorism has become the means to achieve the selfish motives of many people. The reasons that strengthen these activities are the significant points to be noticed. As a result of these evil activities of terrorism, todays society loose its peace of mind. Many people, who have experienced these attacks, loose their sleep due to the nightmare of terrorism. These terrorist acts also badly affect the proper functioning of the government. As the government has to work consciously for the irradiation of the terrorism in the country, it fails to give more attention on the development activities. Terrorism demoralizes and demobilizes populations and disintegrates societies, though it is also true that terrorism in some instances serves as an integrative mechanism, binding people together in a common cause. Terrorism and the political violence have become the bane of Indian society today. Both are leading the country towards anarchy and chaos. Terrorists kill in the name of religion, in the name of language and

culture.12 It is time that the prevent frustration and a sense of deprivation amongst the people, particularly the youth be checked. Now it is time for India to comprehend the enormity of danger. The nation is in the line of fire. This is not the moment for finger pointing, recriminations, and one up11

. V.V Benedictose, Pope John Paul the Great Passes away, Indian Currents, XVII, No.15 (April, 2005), . Shanker, P.214.

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manship; rather nations have to join their hand together to work against terrorism. It is the moment for shedding the legendary Indian compliancy.13 What the moment calls for us are: Wake up and defend, for someone is out there to deform you, humiliate you, and to distort you. The enemies have nothing to loose but themselves, because their act is born out of a blind fanaticism, but a country has a lot to preserve its national will, its honor, and freedom. The enemy has crossed the threshold. Nevertheless the mechanism has to be created to prevent acts of terror. Terrorism is too serious problem to be left to the politicians alone. General awareness among the masses pressure on people are the only way out. The one that we need to understand is that the terrorism is like a common cold. It runs its own course and there is need for patience. The main aim of terrorists is to wreak havoc upon those whom they regard as obstacles or enemies or oppressors. 14 Terrorism in India has attracted youngsters more particularly the unemployed, the misguided, and idealistic youth. As long as there are causes, which arouse intense emotions the idealistic youth will be led to have romantic visions of terrorism for a cause.15 On one hand, the government has to deal with the terrorist with a firm hand and on the other minorities have to be protected and right atmosphere created for the functioning of a genuine democracy.16 It is very difficult to find any goodness in todays terrorism. One or the other way it is always harmful to the society. Here we need to remember that finding solution and preparing ourselves is better than blaming
13 14

. Ibid, P. 219. . Ahuja, P.447. 15 . Ibid. 16 . Ibid, P.448.

and regretting on this issue. The eradication of terrorism may be impossible very soon but if we try hard on this issue we will be able to control the growth of terrorism. Therefore the governments and society should prepare their citizen against the terrorist activities through the awareness programmes. So let us be awake and open our eyes towards the movements of the surroundings and enable ourselves to distinguish the good and the bad effects of terrorism.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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A. Books

Ahuja, Ram. Social Problems in India. Jaipur: Rawat Publications, 1997. Eitzen, D. Stanley. Social Problems. U.S.A: Chestnut hill enterprises. Inc, 1980. Frey, R.G and Morris, Christopher W. Violence, Terrorism and Justice .New York: Cambridge University Press, 1991. Henslin, James m. Social Problems. New Jersy: Eagle Wood Cliffs Publications, 1992. Hornby, A.S. Oxford advanced learners Dictionary. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2000. Puniyani, Ram. Communal Politics. Mumbai: J&P Publishers, 2003. Sehgal, B.P. Singh. Global terrorism. New Delhi: Deep & Deep publications, 1996. Singh, Nauninal. World Terrorism And New Age Movement. Delhi: Authors press, 2002. Terrorism, World Book Encyclopedia. London: World Book International, 1997. B. Articles Benedictose, V.V.Pope John Paul the Great Passes away, Indian Currents, XVII, No.15 (April, 2005), 8-10. Bhumile, Saba Naqvi. A Million mutinies. Out Look, XLIII, No. 41 (October, 2003), 42-46. Dsouza, E.Has the World War Begun. The Examiner, CLII, No. 42 (October, 2001) P. 6-9. Iyer, Lalita. striking at the head. The Week, XXI, No. 45 (October, 2003), 42-45. krihnan, R.Rama. Hitting Where Its Hurts Most, The Week, XXIV, No.6, (January, 2006), 34-36. Ramakrishnan, Venkitesh. In Search of Answers. Front Line, XXII, No. 15 (July, 2005),7-10. 11

Ravel, Sheela. Return of Terror. India Today, XXVIII, No. 36 (September, 2003), 3236. Swami, Praveen, From Terror to Politics, Front Line, XIX, (March 1, 2002), 21-25.

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