Terrorism a threat to humanity and society

From news paper to news channels and from internet to social discussions the presence of the word ‘terrorism’ couldn’t be denied. In the past 10-11 years terrorism has stretched its noxious tentacles all through the world. Terrorism is a criminal act that influences an audience beyond the immediate victim. It is difficult to point out causes of terrorism but there are certain conditions and circumstances under which terrorism take place and also some psychological factors that work as catalyst for terrorism. Terrorism not only affects the present state of society but also endangers the future of the civilized society. It is flame that destroys the balance of society and also the destroyer.

Jatashankar , social activist found environment and deprivation are the most dominant factors behind the making of a terrorist, “ In 2004 I made a survey with Lt. Babban Misra, Prof. psychology, DDU of street children dwelling at and around railway station. The children either ran from their houses or very poor and orphan. Both the categories of children were deprived of basic necessities and facing ill environment. We kept them in a shelter that has no rules and regulation that could force them to stay there but we tried to provide them a healthy environment and all things of basic necessities. 60% children who ran from their houses went back their home and 40% of the rest opted legal and honest way of living. The conclusion of the research and survey revealed the fact that environment and deprivation drags an innocent person to the dangerous easy of criminalization and terrorism.”

Student leader, Shyam Singh, opines, “Most of the terrorist and criminals are selfish and greedy. The youth is being used by organized terrorist and criminal organizations. They attract youth on the basis of material gains and wash their brains in the name of religion, faith and superior goals .In present scenario when a student comes out of the protective walls of school and step into college he gets attracted towards money, position and power. In the greed and haste of getting everything they are victimized by terrorist groups or criminals. I have seen many people destroying their life in the greed of material gains.”

Prof. Ashok Pandey, Psychology, analyses the psychology of terrorists, “Deprivation and frustration drags a person on the path of terrorism and crime. The deprivation could be either due to economic reasons or it may be emotional due to the environment of family and relations of parents. Frustration takes place when unrealistic aims are set by a person without weighing the capabilities and need of efforts. For example if a student with less capabilities set an aim of civil services ,certainly he is going to face frustration and that could drag him on wrong ways. Another factor that is promoting terrorism and crime in the society is the love for money and degradation in moral standards of the society on a whole.”

Prof. SM Tripathi, Political Science, DDU, throws light on terrorism in India, “Terrorism comes out form the womb of either religious fanaticism or from economic reasons. In India cross border terrorism and by organized gangs of criminals are prevalent. Moral degradation of the society is another reason. In recent times contractors and property dealers are hugely indulged in to illicit activities. We require corruption free system for enforcement of law to handle the situation. Moral upbringing, Justice and employment opportunities could also curb the wide spreading terror and muscle power phenomenon of today’s youth.”

Prof. Sanjay Baijal, DDU differentiate between criminals and terrorists, “Terrorists and criminals both first destroy the system and society and then destroy themselves.  Terrorist is often well trained and state-supported with specific goal in mind, often more symbolic than opportunistic. On the other hand criminal is one who seeks opportunistic targets, has little backing, is selfish, lacks discipline and may be deterred relatively easily. Parents, teachers, society and government have to jointly put efforts to sow the seeds of morality in the minds of children and develop hatred for terrorism and crime to save the society form the dangerous evil.”

Arjumand Bano