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| Jaipur carnage |
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Thursday, May 15, 2008
The serial bombings that hit the Indian city of Jaipur Tuesday evening are tragic. At least 80 people died in the seven blasts that took place within minutes of each other at various spots in the congested, older portion of the city. Ugly red patches of blood appeared on pavements and streets, as simultaneous demonstrations of desperate grief erupted across the city. The blasts, in a city known as a tourist centre for India, once again demonstrated how unjust and inhuman such acts of random violence are. Among the dead are children and women, including a bride whose body was found with the bangles still intact and the henna still painted onto her now lifeless hands.
But acts of terrorism that take place in India often have ramifications that go beyond the matter of the loss of life. Already, at least one minister has suggested a 'foreign hand' is involved. While he has refused to name Pakistan, the implications are clear. The same pattern has been seen in the past as well following terrorist strikes. Indeed, the allegation of outside involvement is also heard almost equally often in Pakistan after such incidents. The finger-pointing is unfortunate. So soon after the blasts, before even initial inquiries are complete, it is impossible to say who carried out the blasts and grossly unfair to speculate. The fact that the attacks took place as India marked the tenth anniversary of its nuclear tests, which took place in Rajasthan -- the state that has now seen its main city targeted -- has indeed led to conjecture that there is a link. This needs to be investigated before any conclusion can be drawn.
The US and Pakistan, as well as other countries, have immediately condemned the blasts. The swift response in this regard from Islamabad is a good sign. It must now be hoped that the New Delhi government, for its own purposes, does not attempt to lay blame for the attacks on Muslim militant groups based in Pakistan. These organizations have been accused of involvement in similar attacks in the past. Whoever was behind them, and whatever purpose they were intended to serve, one thing is obvious: the attacks in Jaipur were meticulously planned and carried out with the clear intent of causing as much loss of life as possible. They have also acted to create panic and damage India's huge tourist industry at a time when many around the world plan summer holidays and make bookings at hotels and on airlines. A massive hunt for the killers has already begun in India. Till some results from this emerge, it would be wise not to engage in any kind of game of accusation or insinuation. And, in the meanwhile, it goes without saying, that should the need arise, Pakistan must extend all possible help and cooperation in tracking down the bombers. The acts of terrorists, no matter where they strike, are always equally evil and such persons with so little compassion or humanity need to be hunted down so that they can never inflict such havoc again.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
