Terrorist attacks in India: Pull up your socks Mr. Shivraj Patil

In the last 5 years, there have been 16 serious terrorist attacks that have killed more than 500 people. The Home Ministry, the investigative agencies and the State Police have failed to solve even one incident.

If ever there was any proof required that India lacked (a) a capable intelligence bereau, (b) political will to come to grips with the terrorist attacks launched with impunity and (c) an effective investigative arm, it came this weekend with the twin attacks in Bangalore and Ahmedabad. All that we have had in the 5 years have been pious statements condemning the dastardly acts by "cowards", appeals to the nation to maintain peace and communal harmony and the assertions that these are terrorist acts about which we have information which we cannot share.

Let me refresh your memory with some of the reactions from the PM Dr. Manmohan Singh , the Home Minister Mr. Shivraj Patil and his underlings. To make it simple, i have categorised the statements into 2 broad categories:

Statement A: "Terrorist attacks are a deep rooted conspiracy to drive a wedge between communities and we appeal to the public to maintain calm and communal harmony."

Statement B: "It is the handiwork of terrorists. We have an idea of who they are. (Or) We do not have any idea of who it is, but are investigating. We will extend all help to the State Government."

Starting with Statement A:

1. Mar 7th, 2006 : Varanasi, Sankat Mochan Temple - 28 Killed.
(Source : Indian Embassy, Washington DC)

The Union Home Minister, Shri Shivraj Patil has strongly condemned today’s bomb blasts in Varanasi in which innocent people were killed. He has described the incidents as an attempt by desperate elements to disturb communal harmony and peace.

2. Jul 11th, 2006: Mumbai Suburban trains – 200 Killed
Source: Rediff.com, Jul 12th 2006
PM Dr. Manmohan Singh - Urging people to remain calm, he said, "Do not be provoked by rumours. Do not let anyone divide us. Our strength lies in our unity. Let us stand together as one people, as one nation."

3. Sep 8th, 2006: Malegaon- 37 killed
Source: Indian Embassy, Washington DC
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who is rushing here tomorrow, said the "bigger design" of those behind the blasts in Malegaon of Maharashtra is to see that different sections of the society clash and create more turmoil.

4. May 18, 2007 : Hyderabad Mecca Masjid – 16 killed
Source: Hindustan Times, May 18th, 2007
Home minister Shivraj Patil cautioned people about the evil designs of the forces trying to foment communal trouble and emphasised the government's resolve to sternly deal with the perpetrators of such incidents.

5. Nov 23rd, 2007: Lucknow, Varanasi and Faizabad – 18 killed
Source: NDTV.com, Nov 23rd, 2007
The Home Ministry says it's a terrorist strike meant to disturb communal harmony. ''.....the motive could be to disturb communal harmony and to create fear and terror among the people. My appeal to the people of Uttar Pradesh is to remain united and defeat the motives of such terrorists,'' said Sriprakash Jaiswal, Minister of State for Home.

6. May 13th, 2008 : Jaipur – 60 killed
Source: Rediff.com, May 14th, 2008
Patil appreciated the people of Rajasthan for showing restraint despite the provocation by the perpetrators of violence.

Source: Rediff.com, May 13th, 2008
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has strongly condemned the bomb blasts in Jaipur and appealed for calm

7. Jul 25th, 2008: Bangalore : 1 killed
Source: Indian Embassy, Washington DC, Jul 25th, 2008
The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has condemned the Bangalore serial bomb blasts and urged people to remain calm and maintain communal harmony.

8. Jul 26th, 2008: Ahmedabad – 40 killed
Source: Indian Embassy, Washington DC, Jul 26th, 2008
Home Minister MR. SHivraj PAtil :A"nti-national elements have been trying to create panic among the people of our country. Today's blasts in Ahmedabad seem to be part of the same strategy. I condemn the blasts and appeal to people to maintain calm. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured. The Union Home Ministry is maintaining close touch with the Gujarat Government. I am confident that the culprits will soon be identified and brought to book"

You now get the drift, right? The least the Home Ministry and the Prime Minister could do is to show a bit of creativity rather than digging out the archives for responses to earlier terririst attacks and rehashing it. Do we not deserve at least that much respect?

Lets see Statement B now.

The Mumbai blasts:

Source: Rediff.com:Jul 12th, 2006
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who visited the Mumbai blast sites and some hospitals, said that the Mumbai police is investigating Tuesday's attacks but have found no clues so far.
"We have lots of information on the incidents in Jammu and Kashmir [Images] and Mumbai blasts. In Mumbai's case, we have no clues so far. I spoke to the Maharashtra director general of police about the case. We have lots of information but we cannot share it," he said.
[Comment: This same comment has been repeated on TV in the aftermath of the blasts in Bangalore on Jul 25th. Mr Patil, when do you intend to share this precious information?]

Source: CNN.com : Jul 11th, 2006
Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the government had some advance knowledge that such an attack might take place. "What we didn't have was the place and the time," Patil said.
[Comment: Thank you Mr Patil. Even my apartment secutity guard can tell anyone that there would be a terrorist attack, with as much precision. And if this counts as "advance information" that the Home Ministry shares with the States, I would seriously recommend that the Ministry recruits the security guard I just mentioned.]

The Malegaon blasts:
Source : Indian Embassy, Washington DC
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil did not rule out the possibility of terrorist hand behind the blast. "Such incidents do not take place on their own. Someone triggers it. We all know who they are," he said in Delhi.

[Comment: Mr Patil, this is one of the most brilliant pieces of deduction that would put even the best investigative agency to shame. I developed goose pimples when i read this. I never knew that blasts do not take place on their own. On behalf of a billion fellow Indians, I thank you for telling us so. By the way, who are they, who trigger the blasts? We are still waiting to hear about it!]

The blasts at Lucknow & Varanasi:

Source: NDTV.com
''There were simultaneous blasts in three cities. This makes it clear these blasts are a result of a deep conspiracy. I can't say which organisation is behind the incident." said Sriprakash Jaiswal, Minister of State for Home.

Hindustan Times, Nov 23rd, 2007
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, however, said in the Lok Sabha that no terrorist group had claimed responsibility for the attacks.

[Comment: This leaves me disappointed. Earlier the Home Ministry either had solid information that they didnt want to share. Or they had vague advance information sans time or location. Now its really turned from bad to worse. The Ministry cannot say who is behind these blasts. Last heard, Mr Patil is still waiting for some honest terror group to own up responsibility. Its a shame that these terror groups have started to shun publicity and are forcing the Home Ministry to work hard to resolve these cases. Sadists!]


The Jaipur blasts:
Source: Business Standard, May 14th, 2008
Sri Prakash Jaiswal, minister of state for home affairs, claimed that the Jaipur blasts appeared to be the handiwork of militants. He, however did not mention any organisation or suspected groups

[Comment: Mr Jaiswal's sharp intellect has gauged that these blasts are the handiwork of militants. Thankfully he disabused me of my mistaken notion that these were Diwali crackers going off randomly].


The Bangalore blasts:
ExpressIndia.com, Jul 25th,2008
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, while condemning the blasts, said, "such incidents will not deter the government from pursuing its policy of dealing with terrorists in an resolute manner

[Comment: Have i not heard this before?]


As a citizen of this country, I can assert that my fellow citizens have done their bit to maintain calm and restraint in spite of repeated provocations. Whether the PM or the Home Minister tell us to do so or not, we have the maturity not to let incidents like these drive a wedge betwen communities or react violently. My silent salute to the billion Indians. It is now time for the Government to ACT and translate their intent & words to action. Bring the culprits to book. Else they will have proved that the villains can carry on their work with least fear of being apprehended and punished.

A special word to PM Dr Manmohan Singh - Sir, I admire your determination and courage to stand by the nuclear deal against all odds and seeing the toughest part of the process through. I hope you demonstrate the same commitment and courage to end this scourge of terrorism.