A thorny issue

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar might have upturned India’s long-held position as well as raised the hackles of human rights activists when he said India has to neutralise terrorists through terrorists. To further debilitating effect, he asked: “Why must my soldier do it?” National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, whose knowledge about covert operations is recognised, sought to repair the breach but by then Islamabad, which has wedded the use of terrorists into its state policy, termed this statement as confirming India’s involvement in terrorism in Pakistan. The moral superiority India had over Pakistan was quickly eroded. Its stand over dealing firmly with the Taliban in Afghanistan also got queered. 

Delhi had used the Ikhwan in J & K to counter Pakistan-funded armed gangs but disassociated from them because, as in Assam, they began a cottage industry of kidnapping and extortions. Post-Bhindranwale, such examples in Punjab were fewer but as the Pinki case shows, the reverberations last long. There was an element of deniability when questions were raised about their preying on the very people India wanted to win over. But when Salwa Judum was raised as a matter of state policy to counter Maoists in Jharkhand, much like Pakistan does with Hafiz Saeed, the Supreme Court declared them unconstitutional.

This may be the last time a Central Minister publicly suggests using terrorists. His comment may not be part of renewed thinking in the government to resort to this strategy because states using this ploy have usually been unable to control such elements. Terrorism arises when years of overlooking of genuine grievances is accompanied by state repression. The Modi government must avoid the temptation of instant gratification to look for long-term solutions within the ambit of accepted norms. The only solution against inveterate violence mongers is a mix of well-equipped soldiers and a firm focus on addressing real grievances. When one of these elements is missing, either the situation goes on festering or takes a turn for the worse. India and Modi, focused on development, cannot afford either at this juncture.