Broadening Boundaries of Terrorism

What is the issue?

Acts of violence are widespread and increasingly being carried out in the name of religion, even by commoners and children.
In this backdrop, here is a look at the prevalence of the ideas of religion and terrorism in the present age.

What is the worrying trend?

Violence in the name of God is certainly not new.
Terrorism existed, but it was a faraway, unpredictable event.
For most people, terrorism was nothing but another piece of news.
But, the worrying trend is that the wings of terrorism is spreading beyond terrorist groups and trained militias.
Commoners and children are getting to be part of the mob now.
Attacks are carried out across religions in the name of God.

What role is terrorism playing?

Terrorism may never succeed in overthrowing the government, or in controlling large territories.
However, it is becoming clear that terrorists have managed to implant the idea of violence and hatred in everyone.
By all means, embracing the idea of violence and hatred does not make a person a terrorist or perpetrator of violence.
Nevertheless, continuous expressions of hostility and contempt would have created something worse than terrorism itself.
For instance, fear would no longer be a rare sentiment with a cyclical life, but a real and permanent feeling.
In every corner of the world, “us” versus “them” has become the main discourse.
It is no more the argument in a particular segment of the society.
It has instead become the discourse at the grass roots as well.

How is the idea of religion transforming?

The idea of religion as a peaceful path has been shattered.
The idea that humanism will promote equality and union also lies in ruins.
In all, the world is at a crossroads, where broader human values are being replaced by exclusive group values.
Justice, equality, fairness, and peace are only being applied to groups.
It is only about “us”, and never concerns “others”.

What is the paradoxical reality?

Modern technology has been accelerating rapidly since the turn of the millennium.
Consequently, automation and scientific discoveries are diluting the rigid boundaries among people.
However, despite the possibility for closeness, people are not made citizens of the world.
Instead, people tend to fortify themselves in a group that distinguishes itself from another.

However, on the other hand, in the name of freedom and democracy, radical ideas are being talked about.
These radicals do not recognise that their ideas are anti-democratic and do not value freedom.
In many cases, their attempts to force these ideas have ended in disturbance and assault.

How does the future look?

In modern times, the collapse of a dictatorial regime in the time of the internet and digital revolution could lead to contradictory outcomes.
It could trigger aspirations in one set of people, whereas a larger number of people could feel threatened.
Those who feel threatened could act in self-defence.
When people fortify themselves inside religion, they also embrace the idea of hatred spread by terrorist groups and action.
This is when the “us” versus “them” discourse and the struggle in the name of God become one and the same.
The world will continue to move forward; the same problems will repeat.
Terror too may reappear in the name of country, God, power, or some other term.

Source: Indian Express