RSS must come clean on its members' terror links

After Aseemanand's arrest and the reports of RSS pracharaks, members and ex-functionaries' involvement in crime and terrorism, it's time the 'nationalistic' organisation takes a hard look at the affairs within the Sangh.

The BJP leaders are naturally in an unenviable situation as they can't speak against their mother organisation but it is a fact that calling the arrested persons as rogue elements or radical fanatics on the fringe who had been ousted is no longer an excuse.

One after the other, cases of Hindutva terrorism show that the involvement of RSS members and it is a cause of concern for every citizen. The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh  (RSS) has grown too big and its leaders should come clean on why serving members like Sunil Joshi, Sandeep Dange, Ramji Kalsangra, Devendra Gupta, Lokesh Sharma are arrested for Ajmer, Mecca Masjid Hyderabad, Malegaon and Samjhauta Exress blasts.

Blaming Congress is no long-term solution. If RSS is a patriotic group, it should shed light on the fact how these ultra-patriotic members of the Sangh are taking to terrorism and that too in our own country. India has suffered enough in the name of terrorism, either by self-styled Islamic militants or Hindu extremists.

Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat has admitted that there were extremists in Sangh but they were forced to leave the organisation. Isn't it serious that radicals hell-bent on creating terror managed to get into the Sangh's fold. The RSS must not close its eyes. It has to do lot of soul-searching else its reputation will be harmed irreparably. 

Digvijay Singh reignites controversy over Karkare's killing

Slain ATS chief Hemant Karkare

Congress leader Digvijay Singh's statement has reignited the debate over the mysterious circumstances in which former ATS chief Hemant Karkare was killed during the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai.

Of course, Singh didn't mean that 26/11 was planned by the so-called Hindu terrorist groups but the fact that Karkare was killed during the terror attack on Indian soil by Pakistani terrorist groups, gave the impression that Digvijay was accusing Hindu organisations for planning the attack.

Digvijay was speaking at the function to release a book written by journalist Aziz Burney that suspected the role of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the Mumbai terrorist strike. The book is named '26/11-RSS ki Saazish'. Naturally the Congress leader can't plead absolute innocence.

While the theory of Hindutva organisations' involvement in 26/11 is totally absurd and ruled out, the conspiracy theory about Karkare's killings has many more takers than we believe. This issue hasn't been discussed in mainstream media.

Many of us squirm when someone raises the same suspicion that the groups who were upset with revelations in Malegaon blast case found an opportunity and bumped off Karkare. He had arrested Abhinav Bharat's Pragya Thakur and this had angered the Sangh Parivar.

Digvijay wasn't wrong when he said that Karkare was getting threats. This is a fact that he had been threatened and was facing increasing pressure. Even a senior BJP leader like LK Advani had spoken on behalf of Pragya Thakur.

Karkare's jacket had also gone missing. It was not clearly established who had asked the officers to reach the Cama Hospital. The reluctance of police in providing details of another slain police officer's wife Vinita Kamte led to more suspicions. The missing bullet proof jacket added to the controversy.

It is not too surprising for many to believe that a sniper killed Karkare and his fellow policemen. Conspiracy theories exist everywhere in the world.

When a radical group with links to RSS could plot Mahatma Gandhi's assassination, another right-wing militant group may have planned to target Karkare. It is not as implausible either.

At least, at a theoretical level a section can smell rat. In America, there are a large number of citizens who still believe that 9/11 was not the work of terrorists but a sort of 'inside job'. They are free to believe but the outrage is unnecessary.

It is better if a proper investigation is conducted as per the recent High Court directive. As far as political parties are concerned, BJP gets exceptionally angry at such charges because it has to protect its mother organisation, RSS.

As far as Congress is concerned, if Digvijay Singh keeps making such statements, it his stock that will fall among the electorate as popular opinion doesn't seem to be in favour of those floating the conspiracy theories.

Harsh Truth: Hindu Terrorism exists in India just like Muslim Terror

Probably most of us were skeptic when we first heard that Malegaon blasts were planned by a radical Hindu group but it was believed that they were just a few fanatics.

But when Swami Asimanand, a godman and spiritual guru, who built the Shabra Dham pilgrimage and who had close links to top RSS, VHP and BJP leaders, is found involved in terrorism plots and targeting our own country, it is nothing less than a shock.

He was absconding for long. CBI has now arrested this 'religious man' whose acts have shamed us. Perhaps all of us are yet to come to terms with the gravity of his misdeeds. He was doing what the worst enemy of India would do.

His involvement in bomb blasts in Jama Masjid, Mecca Masjid, Ajmer Dargah and Samjhauta Express show that he was a fanatic in saffron robe. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its sister organisations have links with such militants and this is something that can't be ignored.

It should be investigated if he got money from somewhere or got funds from outside or was he an agent of foreign power to create instability. It is surprise that such big network remained hidden from the intelligence agencies until ATS Maharashtra's chief late Hemant Karkare began unearthing the gang.

It is now time for serious focus on Hindu extremism. Just like Muslim or Islamic terrorism, there is a strong Hindutva or Hindu terror. Just like criminals come from all religious, terrorists and traitors can be born in any community.

Hardline Hindutva: Terror grips Goa, 2 killed in bomb blast

When the country was relieved because of a decline in terrorist attacks for the last few months, suddenly there was a resurgence of Maoist violence. Now it's the so-called 'Hindu terrorism' that shows signs of resuscitation.

The blast that killed two workers of the right-wing Hindu group, Sanathan Saunstha, suggests that the threat of extremist Hindu outfits can't be overlooked. The activists linked to the Sanstha were caught for planting bombs in Mumbai and Thane earlier.

In Goa, IEDs were planted at other places but were fortunately diffused. This particular bomb went off prematurely in Margaon and as a result the two persons, Malgondi Patil and Yogesh Naik, died. But for the peaceful residents of Goa, it is a shocking development.

Why should fundamentalist groups choose Goa. Which gathering they waned to target. What was their objective behind the blasts. Did they want to establish a strong base in Goa, where they could have evaded police and intelligence.

The organisation workers have links with another militant outfit, Abhinav Bharat led by Pragya Thakur, which was blamed for the bomb blasts in Malegaon. There are several questions and the police have to find out answers.

After all, what incited the organisation's workers to make bombs? Radical outfits belonging to any religion or ideology must not be allowed to spread their tentacles and the government should act tough against such groups irrespective of their political affiliations--be they left-wing Naxalites, Muslim militants or Hindu hardliners.

Mangalore's Taliban: Is Pramod Muthalik's Hindutva=Hinduism?

Pramod Muthalik, the chief of Sri Ram Sena, symbolises what is wrong with our society. Anybody who has a band of ruffians and can create trouble or flirt with the law-and-order, becomes bigger than the law.

You or I will get harassed by the cops and official machinery. But if you have a saffron shawl slung on your shoulder and you can force your way in with goons, you can enjoy power over every institution.

Pramod Muthalik has dozens of criminal cases against him. In his speeches, he talks about making bombs and engineering communal clashes. His outfit has attacked Churches and the recent attack on pubs in just a reflection of what has band of vandals is capable of.

But when the BJP government came to power, it withdrew several cases that were registered against him. The BJP's claim of a party with a difference have long been exposed, as its cadre engage in violence.

The party uses them to further its plans. When it doesn't need them, it washes its hands off them. That's why the Sangh Parivar remains a danger to this country. After turning Gujarat into a hate lab, this experiment is now on in South India's Karnataka.

Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) terrorises North Indians, Shiv Sena terrorises Hindi speakers and the Kannadigas over Belgaum issue and Sri Ram Sene terrorises Chrisitans and women. They are all criminals but have no law applicable to them.

Sadly, in Indian society citizen has no right. Of course, hooligan has all rights. It is because citizens remain mute spectators to violence, whether it is in the name of caste, religion, region or any other damn issue.

And when these hooligans target them, there is nobody to speak for them. Shame on all of us for letting Hinduism hijacked by Hindutva-vadis.

Assam blasts: Ominous New Year beginning for India

Just when we were praying that the nation would usher into a peaceful New Year after a series of terrorist attacks in 2008, the first day of the year 2009 brought bad news.

The serial bomb blasts in Assam took the lives of five persons and over 50 were injured. Though the initial reports suggested that Bodo militants were involved, it is now believed that the ULFA [United Liberation Front of Asom] was responsible.

Assam was targeted just two months back when 89 persons had died in blasts on October 30. The fresh attacks have once again shaken the confidence of the citizens. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi accepted security lapses.

The blasts occurred just before Home Minister P Chidambaram was expected to reach the state. So what about the intelligence agencies and the plans to do a shakeup that were made after the Mumbai terror strikes?

Mumbai terror accused Ajmal Amir Qasab is a Pakistani

Ajmal Amir Qasab who is the lone terrorist caught after the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes belongs to Faridkot in Okara district of Pakistan's Punjab province.

His father, Amir, has owned up his son, after he was shown the photograph of Qasab.
Though the government of Pakistan hasn't officially accepted it as yet, Qassab alias Kasab has written a long Urdu letter to the High Comission, seeking legal aid.

He also wants the bodies of slain terrorists to be sent to Pakistan for burial. Pakistan has recently cracked down on Lashkar-e-Taiba [now named as Jamat-ud-Dawa]. But this is more because of US pressure.

Despite President Asif Ali Zardari committing to act tough and claiming that an attack on Mumbai, but an attack on Pakistan, few in Indian establishment are convinced that Pakistan would act tough on militants.

Now UP man lynched in Mumbai train: India under attack from within by divisive forces

There is little doubt that the rogue Raj Thackeray needs to be reined in. His divisive politics has claimed another victim, when a poor man from Sant Kabirnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, was killed in a Mumbai local train by workers of MNS.

Dharam Dev Rai, 25, a migrant labourer, who had come to Mumbai to earn a living, lost his life to the goons. But the Centre has failed to take any action though this dirty politics of regionalism threatens to divide the nation.

The man is survived by a pregnant wife and a child, who have nobody to support. The argument started over the seat but as he couldn't speak Marathi, the attackers pounced upon him and killed him in cold blood.

Still, the Centre hasn't taken any action. The Congress government, both at the Centre and the State, has created a Frankenstein, the monster, that threatens everybody including the idea of India as a nation.

The situation demands imposition of President's rule and the arrest of Thackeray for terrorism, anti-national activities and hate politics. Maharashtra government has announced Rs 2 lakh for Dharamdev's family. Will it bring back his life?

Thackeray, a Chandraseni Kayastha, whose family came to Maharashtra from North India a few generations back, and has property worth hundreds of crores, is playing not just with the emotions of Marathi Manus, but is also involved in the most dangerous politics India has ever seen.

His kids study in foreign countries and he wants Marathi for poor Maharashtrians. Can his son speak or write Marathi?

Those who feel Raj Thackeray is taking up the cause of Maharashtrians, are living in a fool's paradise. He has already done incalculable harm to this nation and it is damaging for Maharashtra and Marathis as well.

Islamabad hotel bombed: Major terror strike in Pakistan's capital

A terror strike killed at least 40 persons in the Capital of Pakistan. Initial reports suggested that a truck laden with explosives rammed into the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad.

The hotel building was badly damaged in the blast. Scores of cars and other vehicles that were parked around the hotel, were blown up. TV reports suggested that the figure of those who died in the suicide attack, could go up.

Reports said that nearly 2/3rd of the hotel building was in fire and wreckage was seen everywhere. The Marriott hotel is a favourite among foreigners. The figure of deaths could go up to 100, said a senior Pak journalist. The bombing took place in the Holy month of Ramzan.

The National Assembly speaker was hosting an iftaar when the deadly bombing tok place. Terror strikes have increased in Pakistan in recent times. The attacks by American forces in Pak territory have also caused lot of anger among citizens.

The militants have grown fiercer in Pakistan recently and suicide attacks have become the order of the day. Not just the ungovernable regions in the North but militant attacks in Cities have also become a common occurrence.

Two terrorists killed, One caught in police encounter in Delhi

The Special cell of Delhi police force on Friday gunned two suspected terrorists and caught one person from a house in Jamia Nagar.

It is claimed that they were involved in the Ahmedabad and Delhi serial bomb blasts. Atif and Fakhruddin were shot dead while Saif was arrested in the operation that started at around 10 am.

During the encounter two policemen were also injured though two persons managed to escape. A strong crowd gathered in the densely populated area of South Delhi, after the encounter took place.

It is said that the operation was planned after the interrogation of a terror suspect Abu Bashar, who had named Tauqeer and some other persons. A section of local residents were sceptical of the police claims.

There was lot of pressure on police and the Home ministry for action. The officials said that explosives have also been recovered from the house. The search operations were on after the encounter. Later in the evening, Inspector Mohan Chandra Sharma, who was injured in the cross-fire, succumbed to injuries and died in the hospital.

Serial blasts in Delhi on September '13' 2008: 24 killed, 110 injured

Terror has struck once again. On this occasion the national capital was targeted on Saturday. The serial blasts that occurred on the ominous '13th' were reported from Ghaffar Market, Karol Bagh and Kasturba Gandhi Marg.

As per initial reports, 18* persons had died and over 80 persons were injured in the bomb blasts. The explosions rocked the City in the evening when the markets were bustling with shoppers. The strikes come barely 1-1/2 months after the blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

The TV images showed mangled vehicles at Ghaffar Market. Bodies were seen lying and injured people being taken away by police and local residents. At KG Marg, the blast hit the Gopaldas building.

Initial reports suggested that the blasts were low-intensity. Clearly the aim is to scare the citizens. The timing couldn't have been worse as there is strong crowd in market and on roads due to the festive season. Earlier in 2005, serial explosions occurred in Delhi in 2005. (*The figure of deaths later went up to 24)

SIMI no longer a banned outfit

The Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) is no longer a banned organisation. The organisation that has been blamed for involvement in terror strikes in the country, can now act freely, at least for the time being.

The single-judge special tribunal of Delhi High court has termed insufficient the evidences furnished by the Home Ministry against the organisation. The tribunal held that the evidences were not sufficient and didn't justify the ban, which has been in existence for the last seven years.

SIMI, a radical group of Muslim youths formed in Aligarh in 1977, was banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The lawyer for SIMI, Mobin Faruqi, welcomed the verdict and said that every time there was a terrorist activity the organisation was unfairly accused.

The lifting of the ban may be challenged by the Central government that can approach the Supreme Court, say legal experts. The Centre has maintained that SIMI is involved in invoking communal frenzy and its elements have waged a war against the country.

Bombs raining in Surat: What lies beneath?

For two days bombs have almost been raining in Surat, the Diamond City of Gujarat.

Wherever the cops laid hands, they found a bomb. And wherever the public found something suspicious, it also came out to be a bomb.

Though we have just seen blasts in Bangalore and then serial explosions in Ahmedabad that killed 50 people, it is still a big mystery as to how so many bombs were planted and none of them exploded in Surat.

Suddenly we have come to know that these bombs were a bit different and had some chip, and as a programme perhaps didn't execute these improvised explosive devices (IEDs) didn't explode.

All the bombs were defused in the end. But questions remain about the tremendous failure of terrorists, as well as the supreme success of our police in recovering the bombs and then defusing them all.

Nobody is taking Sushma Swaraj seriously, as terrorism is not just any other political issue that should be used to train guns at the other party but the mystery of 21 live bombs planted in Surat, will haunt us for quite sometime.

How terrorists managed to do that so easily just a day after Ahmedabad. And if they really did that, will we ever get to know the exact persons and their names who planted them? Rather than police gunning down a few and claiming that they were X, Y and Z involved in it.

Ahmedabad rocked by serial blasts: Two Indian cities rocked in two days

Just a day after the bombs blasts rocked Bangalore, 17 similar explosions hit Ahmedabad despite the high-alert across the country.

The first blast was reported from Mani Nagar and soon the explosions were reported from Isanpur, Narol, Hatkeshwar, Bapu Nagar and Sarang Nagar areas of the City. By late night the reports suggested 29 deaths and 88 injured in the bomb blasts.

Tiffin boxes on cycles were used for the explosions. Though the scale of death and destruction was similar to that of Bangalore unlike blasts in the past, the aim was clear--terrorists want to scare and send the message that any Indian city is within their reach, anytime.

Later reports suggested that there were more than ten blasts in Ahmedabad on Saturday. An outfit, Indian Mujahideen, has claimed responsibility. It's a grave security issue for the nation and the audacity of the terrorists should serve as a wakeup call for everybody.

Now, what the government is doing about that. Once the reports of the blasts go from front page to inside pages of the newspapers, the investigative agencies also seem to slow down. Two major cities of India have been targeted in two days.

Seventeen blasts in Ahmedabad and eight blasts in Bangalore a day earlier that make it 25 blasts in two days. Isn't it scary?

Still, our intelligence agencies and government remain complacent and forgetting to pursue the terrorists, just after a few days of every such blast. Let's see how the Centre reacts to it. Past history suggests that after a few days, everything will be forgotten again.

Now serial blasts in Bangalore: 1 dead, 15 injured

After a brief lull, the terror has struck South India again. Bangalore was rocked by five serial bomb blasts on Friday.

The serial blasts have returned just 2-1/2 months after similar explosions occurred in Jaipur, in May this year. The person whose death was confirmed was a woman, initial reports said.

However, unconfirmed reports said the toll could go up to three. Though the blasts were mostly of low-intensity and didn't cause as much destruction, as similar explosions in the past have caused, the blasts did create a sense of scare in the City that symbolises India's forward leap in software technology.

Banglore is the face of a new and vibrant India. Initial reports suggest that one person has been killed and nearly 15 have been injured. The blasts were reported from Adugodi, Madivala, Nayandahalli and other areas of the outskirts of South Bangalore.

Bangalore, (now known as Bengaluru), has seen similar strikes in the past when the Indian Institute of Science was targeted. One wonders how long India will continue to face such terror that comes without any warning!