Date:02/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/02/stories/2008120259670500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

B.P. Singh for strong action without arbitrariness

Special Correspondent

“Ugly face of terrorism has given justification for military action”

— Photo: S. R. Raghunathan

dialogue of harmony: Governor Surjit Singh Barnala releasing a book written by Balmiki Prasad Singh, Sikkim Governor, at a function in Chennai on Monday.

CHENNAI: When Oxford University Press scheduled the Chennai release of Sikkim governor Balmiki Prasad Singh’s latest book for the first day of December, it could not have guessed how relevant the book’s message would be to the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

“Bahudha and the Post 9/11 World” propounds the ancient Indian concept of bahudha, or pluralism and a dialogue of harmony, as relevant to today’s global crises. So how are the principles of bahudha to be applied, as the government prepares a response to the Mumbai attacks?

“The ugly face of terrorism has given a strong justification for military action,” said Mr. Singh, who was once responsible for coping with terrorism in his capacity as Union Home Secretary. “But I am not in favour of preventive wars or a unilateral, arbitrary use of force against other countries…The criminal justice system and the United Nations have to act in tandem. There should be no arbitrariness, but strong action is called for,” he said.

Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, who released the book, said fighting terrorism required strengthening of intelligence, public coordination and the support of religious leaders to end the false propaganda that fuelled terror in the name of religion. He cited Dr. Singh’s observation that terrorism could not be tackled by weapons, but by a struggle for the hearts and minds of the people.

N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, said that following the principles of bahudha in the present situation would not be about ideals alone, but a practical approach. A military response could be needed, but not in the jingoistic, hawkish manner projected by some sections of the media.

The government should marshal clear evidence that the attacks originated in Pakistan and hand it over to the Pakistan government at the highest level, he said. If there was no satisfactory response from the Pakistani government to demands for cooperation after 10-15 days, India could go the United Nations Security Council and invoke Resolution 1373, which requires all states to prevent the commission of acts of terror, provide early warnings, deny safe haven to terrorists or their backers, ensure that all such are brought to justice, exchange information and cooperate with other nations investigating terrorism. “The challenge is to respond firmly, not weakly, but in a civilised way,” he said.

Theosophical Society president Radha Burnier said the bahudha approach needed to be implemented in ordinary, everyday living as well. “We must consciously work together to propagate the values of a global family through dialogue and harmonious living.”