26/11 Anniversary is a grim reminder not only of a planned terror attack by a country; it also reminds how 'Muslim appeasement' was a big Congress 'handicap'

It's true, the Mumbai attacks of 2008 - the 26/11- have been dubbed 'India's 9/11', but India simply failed to give a befitting 9/11-style response ! 

As many as 173 people were murdered when 10 Pakistani terrorists set off a barrage of gunfire and grenades in Mumbai and mercilessly attacked two hotels including the iconic Taj, the VT (also renamed Shivaji) railway terminus and a Jewish center. Later analysts spoke about the scale and the ability of terrorists to paralyze the metropolis for about 60 hours if not more.

The Pakistani gunmen clearly had a very carefully worked out plan. There were other findings later. A key motivation for Pakistan's notorious ISI in "planning and aiding the attacks" was to bolster militant organisations with strong links to the Pakistani state who were allegedly being 'marginalised' by a few other more extreme radical groups.

"Pakistan's powerful intelligence services were heavily involved in preparations for the Mumbai terrorist attacks of November 2008, according to classified Indian government documents obtained by The Guardian," reported the London-based newspaper in the year 2010. 

This was in reference to a 109-page report into the interrogation of key suspect David Headley, a Pakistani-American militant arrested in the US. Under questioning, Headley described dozens of meetings between officers of the main Pakistani military intelligence service, the ISI, and senior militants from the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group responsible for the Mumbai attacks.

But there was a meek response by the Congress-led UPA government in Delhi. However, a vital lesson from the Mumbai attack was that despite such a crisis, the majority Hindu community was not willing to buy the line that all Muslims are bad And that 'secular parties' such as Congress should be automatically replaced by 'Hindutva champions - the BJP'. The return of Sheila Dikshit government in Delhi, which went to the polls only a day after Mumbai siege, proved that people were not willing to allow polarisation of the issue of terrorism.

But there is no denying the fact that the Manohan Singh did not respond adequately. A vital lesson emerged for Muslims but that still remains to be understood. 

In my book, 'Ayodhya - Battle for Peace', I had said -- "The challenge before the Muslims is only deep rooted as alleged political appeasement without really helping the community makes them vulnerable and lead the Muslim youths often towards the destructive and parochial thought process pursued by self-seeking Madrasas and sectarian leaders.  (published 2010) 

Hafiz Saeed, co-founder Lashkar-e-Taiba,

LeT was considered responsible for the attack.

Headley, interviewed over 34 hours by Indian investigators in America in June, described how "a debate had begun among the terrorist outfits" and "a clash of ideology" leading to "splits". "The aggression and commitment to jihad shown by several splinter groups in Afghanistan influenced many committed fighters to leave [LeT]," Headley said. "I understand this compelled the LeT to consider a spectacular terrorist strike in India."

"The ISI … had no ambiguity in understanding the necessity to strike India," Headley is reported to have said. The aim of the agency was "controlling further split in the Kashmir-based outfits, providing them a sense of achievement and shifting … the theatre of violence from the domestic soil of Pakistan to India."  

Headley's revelations proved 'embarrassing' to the US government as well as to the Pakistanis. Reports in American newspapers had claimed that Headley's wife had tried to alert American authorities to her husband's activities but had been ignored.

India has demanded that Saeed be handed over into Indian custody by Pakistan; however, there is no extradition agreement between the two countries.

26/11 Anniversary is a grim reminder not only of a planned terror attack by a country called Pakistan; it also reminds how 'Muslim appeasement' was a big Congress 'handicap'.... When will Congress tender an apology for their lopsided response ??

Now, onus on Modi !!

Mindset Debate:

"Hindu-Muslim unity should not mean subjection of the Hindus", said Hrishi Aurobindo in 'India's Rebirth'.

He had also written, "It is no use ignoring facts, some day the Hindus may have to fight the Muslims and they must prepare for it". 

The book 'Hindutva - Exploring the idea of Hindu Nationalism' penned by journalist Jyotirmaya Sharma had said that India stopped progressing during the long Muslim rule. "The question of progress did not arise, says Vivekananda, because all the energies of the Hindus were directed towards self-preservation". 

Iconic Hindutva stalwart, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar had said, the Hindus ought to learn from Muslims one things -- that is the minority community was "fiercely united by a theocratic patriotism".

Now in 2023, the Congress wants Muslim votes and rather to be frank enough; they are already taking Muslim votes for granted. 

Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have done their parts to reach out to Muslims. 

Sonia wrote an open article trying to make it clear to her Muslim support base that the latter should not harbour any doubts as the grand old party would stick to Palestine's cause. She has virtually abandoned Congress government's policies in the past that also had positive views about Israel. 

BJP leader and former Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has sought to attack Congress leaders and said, “For those who are “ashamed and shocked”, must realise that India will NEVER be on the side of terrorism. India’s Explanation of Vote – spelt this out categorically. Our position on the Israel – Palestine issue is steadfast and consistent”, the former Union minister shared a screenshot on India abstaining from the vote." 

His response came to counter Priyanka's tweet stating, "I am shocked and ashamed that our country has abstained from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza. Our country was founded on the principles of non-violence and truth, principles .....".

Naqvi pointed out : "Looks like people, who have no idea of Congress’s past positions on the situation, are advising you (Priyanka). What is worse is that in an attempt to make you look ‘better’ than Rahul, they are making you look silly".

ends