Enough is enough

by Ashok K. Mehta

(November 28, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) This is India's worst hour. Infinitely worse than the 1962 Himalayan disaster that broke the morale of the country. The war against Mumbai is war against India. The moral can be that psychological scars will endure.

Forty-five years after that fateful event with the world's fourth largest military, a bountiful economy, a disorganised but working democracy and an impressive information technology knowledge power status, India with both hard and soft powers is still imminently vulnerable and emphatically undefended against terrorism, indeed all threats to internal security. The oldest victim of terrorism is also the most unprotected and doing little to correct it. Otherwise why would any Government worth its salt tolerate a terrorist attack a month spread all across the country, losing more lives to terrorists than to enemies across the border?

India's reputation as a soft state, to turn the other cheek if you like, has been reinforced. Added to it is the conviction among jihadis of all colours that you can travel to Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad or anywhere in India, mount terror attacks, and escape scot-free. Impunity attaches now to terrorism committed in India.

This is not a new war on Mumbai but the continuation of the 1993 serial bombings to cripple the commercial capital of the nation and to destablise rising India. The terrorists's commando-style operation is a masterly plot as sophisticated as 9/11 - striking 11 targets ironically routed through the Gateway of India. The first non-state actor, the British East India Company, used this landing site as one of its entry points to subjugate India. The route appears to have been reopened to terrorists, aided and abetted by local sympathisers.

The response to the terrorist attacks has been confused and feeble which is not surprising. The terrorists have created a unique and unprecedented situation of hostages in three places. Our people have very little expertise in negotiating in hostage situation. Dealing with this will be tricky for the security forces. We need to be cool and firm to tide over the multiple crises largely of our own creation.

No further dithering will do in meeting the terrorist challenge. India needs a Patriot Act or National Security Act forthwith, coupled with a Department of Homeland Security under the direct charge of the Prime Minister. It is time to appoint a professional National Security Adviser with a military background. All this must happen in 100 days as announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

National political consensus on national internal security is a must. This is not only India's last chance to act but also to be seen to be serious about it. The nation's credibility is at stake.
- Sri Lanka Guardian