VICARIOUS RETALIATION

14 AUGUST 2012

In the aftermath of the Assam massacre where a large number of Muslims suffered, the community throughout India – and, indeed, in several parts of the world – was outraged. I felt the sense of hurt, too. Although I do not yet have all the facts before me I strongly condemn killing of ordinary, innocent people regardless of who they are. On a personal level I feel more hurt if the sufferers are minorities, specially Muslims.

Just the same way I feel an outrage when Muslims themselves commit such a crime: of terrorizing innocent people from NE region. Reports of such attacks have emanated from Pune, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, etc.

This is a clear case of vicarious killing: killing of X because his cousin Y killed someone dear to you. But was X in any way responsible for Y’s act?

If this logic is passable, then every Muslim is a terrorist post 9/11. Then the US is fully justified in rampaging Sudan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. But is it? Do we the Muslims condone it? Does the rest of the sensible humanity condone it? Precisely, therefore, they will not condone any such retaliatory attacks on any innocent North Eastern friend.

Further more this retaliation is ill-informed. Not everyone with Mongol features is a Bodo, nor is every Bodo involved in this incident.

I earnestly request every Muslim to see the danger in such dastardly acts, fit only for the extremists, and gauge the damage this will do to their just cause. This will also give the VHP legitimacy in its retaliation against Muslims of today for sins committed – or perceived to be committed – by the Muslims of yesterday.