Terrorism and London Bombings

I read with great disturbance, USA's plans to strike Iran with nuclear weapons. I believe we are certainly headed for "The clash of civilisations and the remaking of the world order" if these are allowed to continue.

I wrote a letter to the editor of "The Guardian" of UK after the 7/7 bombings in London. It never got published - seems like they did not have the guts for it - but I think it can certainly find a place of pride on my blog.

Have a look.

Dear Editor,

The recent bombings in London were a sad moment and I empathise with the people who lost their loved ones. As an Indian, I represent a nation that has faced the consequences of fundamentalism, a deep religious divide and a fissiparous origin in 1947; and continues to face them. However, I feel aggrieved at the deep hypocrisy of the British society and in particular the British establishment in matters of terrorism. There are two primary factors that compel me to conclude such a disturbing notion.

While, I strongly condemn the attacks, I cannot help but pass a wry smile at the deep irony of the bombings. The Frankestenian monster created by America and so carefully nurtured by it, is now dutifully fulfilling the second part of the fable. Britain, who has faithfully served as the lapdog of America is of course in the line of fire.

What purpose was served by the attack on Iraq? Where are the elusive WMDs? Haven't these acts of the Allied forces, served to alienate the already aloof Muslim community across the world? The great yearning for the lost colonial glory which has resurfaced as the neo-imperialistic ambitions of the British will surely be the turning point of modern politco-economic history.

You can chant, maintain vigils and observe silence. But can that bring back the innocent and dead children in Iraq, so impassively designated as "collateral damage"? Why is an Iraqi life less precious than British life? In my eyes, both have the same value, and I feel the same sense of loss at both. Why not the British?

Why did the British vote for Tony Blair again? The British people are themselves responsible for fanning this irresponsible fire. The second factor is, of course, the tremendous double standards on Pakistan. India has been crying hoarse for ages, and pointing it as the fountainhead of global terrorism; a fact that the British have conveniently decided to ignore. I hope that the "realisation" of this fact shall alleviate the British misery.

You are yourselves to be blamed for your troubles. It is still not too late, to change your errant ways. I hope you do that, and India and Britain can fight terrorism jointly.

Warm Regards
Ankur Jain