Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

India Must Crack Down on Muslims, Hindus Alike

Time to end divisive religious tactics

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 28, 2008 11:39 AM CST

(Newser) – The terrorist attacks in Mumbai are tied to growing disillusionment among Indians with a government that manipulates religious divisions for political gain, writes Dileep Padgaonkar in the Washington Post. Each party accuses the other of pandering to a religious constituency, be it Muslim or Hindu—and such posturing has filtered down to the police and an unfair, often brutal justice system.

As some members of both religions turn to extremism, Mumbai’s attacks “can only compound fears in both communities that law enforcement cannot be trusted to bring the guilty to justice,” writes Padgaonkar, who edits India and Global Affairs magazine. “It is precisely such fears that set the stage for bloody confrontations between the two groups.” Now, it’s time for India’s government to “crack down vigorously on terrorism, regardless of the suspect’s religion.”

Army personnel carry a grenade launcher after using it on the facade of Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, India, Friday, Nov. 28, 2008.
Army personnel carry a grenade launcher after using it on the facade of Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, India, Friday, Nov. 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)
Indian forces fire toward the Taj Hotel in Mumbai, India, Friday, Nov. 28, 2008.
Indian forces fire toward the Taj Hotel in Mumbai, India, Friday, Nov. 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Army personnel lie down near a tourism poster and aim a grenade launcher.
Army personnel lie down near a tourism poster and aim a grenade launcher.   (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Simply put, the Hindus, like the Muslims, have started to question the credibility of the police and, by extension, the state. - Dileep Padgaonkar

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

US Vows to Help India Fight Terrorism

Two Monkeys Tie the Knot in India

Mumbai Blasts Baffle Indian Intelligence

India on High Alert After Deadly Mumbai Blasts

3 Blasts Rock Mumbai, Killing 17


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne