COURAGEOUS: Joe Biden's comments on threat from domestic terror show pragmatism, hope

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Joe Biden's comments on the threat from domestic extremism and terror must be welcomed. 

These are truly historic because it needs strong conviction and bravery to speak up against 'majoritarian sentiment'. 

Also, this is courageous because even acknowledging it is tough. Generally, the majority population feels* 'it is nation'.

This is true in most countries of the world. The majority doesn't want to own up faults, in fact, it never likes to be told that there are people or a segment in it that are responsible for the mess.

It, instead, tends to blame 'other, outsider'. But when you are in a mess, you need to redress the issues. Solution requires introspection, being fair, tough and even straightforward to the point that your own people may get irked.

Compare it with other countries where people, leaders won't even accept that there is any problem. 'Right-wing' is considered a representative of the main stream. Media that is not inclusive, generally, also pushes the ultra right-wing majoritarian narrative. Shifting a problem, hiding it by blaming others, letting it worsen is what they know.

To accept that there're issues with 'us' is a really brave thing in our times. It shows the maturity of United States of America. In post-Trump era, especially, the mob violence at Capitol Hill, it was necessary to speak up. 

However, for too long, the issue of 'domestic terrorism' was not taken as seriously. This is true in other countries as well. The core problem is diverted or ignored. However, petty things are brought up, instead resolving the real problem. [The photograph shows the lead, headline on front page of Times of India, Mr Chidanand Rajghatta's report]

READ: LESSONS FOR OTHER COUNTRIES AFTER COUP AT CAPITOL HILL

&

READ: HOW RIGHT WING MAJORITARIANISM CAN DERAIL DEMOCRACIES

*The feeling among majority that 'we truly represent the nation' is due to right-wing narrative pushed by TV, newspapers and media that are not as inclusive. 

Terrorism in India: 17 policemen killed in deadliest attack in Chhattisgarh this year

17 policemen were killed in one of the most deadliest attack by Maoists in Chhattisgarh in India.

This incident occurred in Sukma district on March 21, 2020. The Maoists had ambushed the police party.

Perched on the hills, they shot the policemen. Naxalites later escaped with AK 47 rifles and several other weapons.

The police had got information about Maoists gathering in the area. Hence, a huge posse comprosing DRG, STF and COBRA jawans, was seent from Dornapal camp towards Kasalpad forests on way to Elmagunda.

The security personnel planned to take Naxals by surprise. However, the latter had also got info about the jawans' movement and ambushed the security personnel. Initially, the police officials claimed that the policemen were missing.

Later, a special team was sent and the bodies of the martyred jawans were brought to the district headquarters. Maoists later displayed the weapons looted in the attack and issued a statement in this regard. Chhattisgarh is among the worst affected state when it comes to left-wing terrorism. 

White Supremacist Terror stuns America: 22 killed in El Paso, 9 shot dead in Dayton

White Supremacist Terrorism has once again come back to haunt United States of America.

In El Paso, a town in Texas in USA, a lone wolf went on a shooting spree that led to 22 deaths.

The initial figure was 20 but later two more people succumbed to injuries.

"Seven Mexican citizens, 13 US citizens, one German citizen and one victim whose nationality could not yet be determined were among the dead in El Paso, authorities confirmed on Monday".

"The 22 victims ranged in age from 15 to 90 years old", reported the Guardian.

The shooter had posted anti-immigrant manifesto before the shooting and had a stone-cold look when he was arrested, reports New York Post, a newspaper known for often giving twist reports in case of white supremacists.

And also for linking it to mental disorder or making them appear as innocents by their focus on their 'good behaviour' elsewhere, that would sound them 'normal' and 'humane', unlike the image of a killer.

The second incident occurred in Dayton in Ohio. Nine persons were shot dead in an attack that came just 13 hours after the El Paso incident, the assailant has so far given no clue to his motivation.

The Dayton police chief, Richard Biehl, confirmed that the victims of gunman Connor Betts include his own sister, 22-year-old Megan Betts", the paper further mentioned.

Connor Betts fired 41 shots in less than 30 seconds, killing nine people. He used a .223 calibre high capacity rifle that had 100 round magazines. Over a dozen people were injured in the attack. He even shot dead his own sister.

Betts was armour-wearing and masked when he fatally shot these people in a bar-cum-restaurant. Described a 'bully' since his schooldays.

Also, he kept a hit list and 'rape list'. In this case, probe is on to find what was the motive and whether he was a supremacist too, but Connor  Betts is a White American.

The newspaper reports again used the terms, 'gunman' and 'shooter', not TERRORIST or the attack as Terror attack.

It has been a long-standing issue in US media that white men who are involved in majority of domestic acts of extremism are not called Terrorists and their acts not termed 'Terrorism'.

LINKS:

1. Terrorism in US: White man is always shooter or gunman, NEVER a terrorist

2. Insane gunman or Temple shooter but NEVER a terrorist: Media must de-link terror from religion

3. When 'White terrorist' kills 10 students in Oregon, US media calls him lone wolf or gunman

4. Florida airport firing: Once name was known, 'terrorist' became 'gunman', headlines diluted

5. Majoritarianism, racism: Why Dylann Roof not called terrorist despite killing people in US?

6. Alexandre Bissonnette attacked mosque, killed people, was fan of extremist right-wing leaders but he was not called terrorist

Banned terror outfit's attack killing lawmaker, 10 others got little attention in mainstream media

A banned outfit that has been involved in terror and violence in the past, attacked a legislator and killed 11 persons.

This incident occurred in Arunachal Pradesh. The legislator--Tirong Aboh, and his son were among the 11 victims in this daredevil terror attack.

Aboh had got warning from the outfit earlier too. It must be remembered that NSCN (IM) is a banned outfit in India, and hence its actions must be termed as terror attack just like other similar banned outfits.

When the incident occurred, national media didn't have any other big news. The Lok Sabha elections have been on for nearly two months. Now it was just the wait for results.

However, channels didn't focus much on the terror attack. There were tickers on some channels but no special story, no reports sent to spot from Delhi or Kolkata to get special stories. Nothing about the outfit, the circumstances about the incident and, of course, just no photos of the 'terrorists' on screens.

Generally, in most cases, TV channels show the sketches and photos. It earns them TRP. But in this case there was no interest. The next morning, newspapers also showed similar disinterested. In some papers, it was page 1 story but with no insights, plain reporting and a day later, no more follow-ups.

LINK: 11 killed in terrorist attack on MLA's cavalcade in Arunachal Pradesh, legislator and his son dead

Menace of Maoist Terrorism: 15 commandos' deaths in Maharashtra, Five including MLAs killing in Chhattisgarh

Deadly attacks by Maoist terrorists on security personnel took place in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, in recent weeks.

First, in Chhattisgarh, a BJP MLA was among those killed when his convoy was targeted in the Bastar region. Then, 16 persons including 15 commandos and a driver, were killed in the IED blast in Maharashtra.

These were apart from other attacks by Maoists in this period. However, the killings of security personnel that are otherwise played in media, didn't evoke much response on these occasions. Just a few months ago, deaths of CRPF personnel in Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir) prompted nationwide anger.

In the case of Kashmir, TV channels just didn't let the incident go and kept showing the visuals for days and nights, until there was such outrage that across India, people took out rallies. In almost every city and town, youngsters came out on streets.

This also led to attacks on Kashmiris. What was the fault of Kashmiris living in other cities or hostels or students, traders in Meerut or Lucknow? But when the Maoists set off blasts in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, TV channels didn't have much time.

No questions are asked as to how so much explosive reaches these forests. Or, how Naxalites continue to get the weapons. Just a few days later one or two persons may be killed in an encounter and the 'claim' of killing conspirators are accepted in the press.

These incidents were not given focus though Pulwama had seen nonstop coverage. In the case of Naxal attacks, there was no report about identity of killers and there were no discussions. The focus remained on Lok Sabha elections.

Neither reporters talked about last rites of martyrs or cared about the compensation or how bodies reached the homes. This is strange. In case of Maoist terror, there is no seriousness and unfortunately for TV channels -newspapers it is just another attack.

LINKS:
1. No end to terrorism as Maoists kill 16 in terror attack in Maharashtra. CLICK
2. BJP legislator, security personnel killed in terror attack in Chhattisgarh. CLICK

Terrorist attack on New Zealand mosques leaves 40 dead: White supremacist terror emerges as big threat to West

Terrorists have struck once again--attacking two mosques in Christ Church city in New Zealand, leaving 40 dead.

The horrific attack has once again shown that White supremacist terror has emerged as a big threat globally, especially, to the West.

The incident occurred at Al Noor mosque in Christ Church apart from Lingid mosque.

Armed terrorist stormed inside the mosque on the day when Muslims congregate for special Friday prayer.

The indiscriminate shooting led to over two dozen deaths apart from many injured. Police say it was a coordinated attack, hunt on for other suspects. Security has been provided to all the mosques across the country. Initial reports said that four persons have been arrested.

One of the darkest days in the history of New Zealand, says New Zealand Prime Minister after terror attack at mosques in Christ Church.

The Bangladesh cricket team was in the mosque but the members survived this terror attack.

Even more surprising is that the suspected terrorist live streamed the entire attack with the camera fitted in his helmet.

Media reports say that, 'The gunman who livestreamed himself opening fire on a Christchurch mosque has posted a manifesto online explaining why he committed the attack'.

READ: 'Insane gunman', 'madman' or 'shooter' but NOT Terrorist: Media soft on White Terrorists

READ: White supremacist terror emerging as a global threat to security, especially, in the West.

Right-wing Hindu groups' warning on Jama Masjid needs to be taken seriously

Extremists chanting slogans against Jama Masjid--'Ek Dhakka Aur Do, Jama Masjid Tod Do' walked on the streets of India's national capital. 

It means, 'One more push, Demolish the Jama Masjid'. Clearly, it is not just about Babri Masjid, but the hate and madness has now reached Delhi.

This militant march was taken out just a day after 'Dharm Sansad', ironically, that means 'Religious Parliament'. Most of the participants in this strange rally, were those who had come to attend the event. 

Does religion teach this? Doesn't it terrorise Muslims, who are already feeling besieged, as Hindu groups announce plans to build Ram Temple in Ayodhya, though Supreme Court is yet to announce a verdict and the case is still sub-judice. 

This is happening when we are witnessing lynchings in the name of cow, people being beaten on streets, even policemen attacked and an officer killed by militant right-wing extremists in Bulandshahr. 

How far will this go? When will the state, the police take action? It is not just affecting India's composite culture, it is also damaging India's reputation across the world. Many people expressed their outrage after the incident. 

This is not the first such incident. Recently, a BJP leader had ambushed into the historic mosque and forcibly unfurled the national flag. Earlier this year, swords were brandished and saffron flags waved in rally taken out in front of several mosques in Delhi. 

Senior journalist Vinod Kapri tweeted and termed it 'adharma' (anti-religious act). A few links below about the incident that alarmed the citizens about the level of righ-wing radicalization and indoctrination in India. 

* Hindu nationalists demand demolition of mosque. LINK [The Independent, UK]

*A day after VHP’s belligerent rally, Muslims i say they won’t be provoked. LINK [Scroll]

*Ek dhakka aur do, Jama Masjid tod do: VHP rally in Delhi. LINK

Bajrang Dal's Terror: Police station attacked, inspector among two killed in Bulandshahr, four arrested

In a shocking incident, an armed mob attacked a police station and killed two persons including a police official.

The attackers were led by right-wing extremist militia Bajrang Dal leaders. The main accused, Yogesh Raj, has been charged with engineering the mob violence.

This incident occurred in Bulandshahar district. First, it was rumour-mongering over carcass of a dead animal. This was used to mobilize the people. Hundreds came from outside and demanded action.

When the mob turned violent, police tried to control them. But there was attack, firing and two persons including the police official, Subodh Kumar Singh, were killed.

Singh was shot in the head. A youth, Sumit, 21, also died in the brutal attack.

Such was the situation that the mob chased and attacked the police personnel who were present at the spot.

Some had to break the wall of the police outpost in order to escape and save themselves from the killers.

In fact, Subodh Kumar Singh was being taken to hospital when he was attacked, again. He later succumbed to the injuries.

This incident has led to shockwaves across the country. Bajrang Dal members, VHP cadre and BJP leaders have been found involved in inciting the mob.

Yogesh Raj's Facebook and Twitter posts suggest how radicalised, he was. His social media handles reflect the intense hatred and give an indication about his plans. Yet, there has been little focus on this aspect. Most newspapers have ignored these inflammatory posts (some posts have been deleted, it appears, just now).

LINK: Bajrang Dal radicals arrested for attack, killing police official in Bulandshahr

Terrorism in India: Five killed as Maoists blow up bus carrying security personnel in Chhattisgarh

Maoists continue to target security personnel in Chhattisgarh.

In the latest incident, they have blown up a bus carrying CISF personnel in southern part of the state.

Five personnel were killed in this IED blast. They included four civilians and a CISF jawan. Several other personnel were injured in the terror attack.

The incident occurred at Bacheli, which is located in Dantewada district. The bus was badly damaged in the attack.

"In all, seven people including three CISF jawans from Akash Nagar camp were going for routine purchase on a private bus deployed for election duty, when they were targeted by Maoists", said a Hindustan Times report, quoting Bastar IG Vivekananda Sinha.

Those killed included the driver of the bus and two other on the staff-driver and cleaner. This is the second such attack in ten days in Dantewada. Earlier, a Doordarshan cameraman covering the polls and two policemen were killed on October 30.

The DD team was going to Nilawaya near Sumeli camp to report on a new polling booth. There was outrage all over the country after the incident. A video of one of the DD staffer had gone viral.

The Naxalites' audacity is all the more surprising as barely a few days from now, high-profile politicians are set to visit the region. PM Narendra Modi is arriving here for campaigning ahead of the Assembly polls. Also, Congress president Rahul Gandhi would also reach Chhattisgarh this month.

Clearly, Naxals have sent a signal. The attack also suggests that law-and-order situation remains poor in the State despite claims of crackdown on Maoists. In fact, it also shows poor intelligence gathering from the Maoist-infested region. Reports in Patrika and Hindustan Times, Delhi. Both carried it on front page but none used the word 'Terrorism'.

Terrrorism: White man kills 12 in California bar, US media terms it 'mass shooting'

A man wearing dark clothing and a dark baseball cap, first set off smoke bombs and then began firing indiscriminately in a bar in California.

This resulted in death of 12 people. The incident occurred on November 8. This has happened just a fortnight after a white supremacist had targeted a synagogue.

The terror suspect--Ian D Long, was an ex-marine. Long, 28, had joined Marine Corps soon after finishing his High School, over a decade ago. A trained machine gunner, he was assigned first battallion in Hawaii.

Also, he spent time in Afghanistan. Ian D Long first shot dead the security man and later opened fire. A Sheriff's sergeant who responded to the shooting was also killed in the firing. The bar had around 100 people, mostly youngsters and college students.

READ: White supremacist shooter guns down 11 Jews at Pittsburgh synagogue

His body was also found at the spot. Initial reports suggested that he killed himself. Soon after the news was reported, there was panic. However, within 24 hrs the story was going down, as if it had become routine.

The reports termed it as 'mass shooting' and NOT 'terror'. Once again, there were side stories about how an ex-marine could become a killer, dressed in black, with sympathetic views of his friends and acquaintances.

Terrorism: White supremacist shooter guns down 11 Jews at Pittsburgh synagogue

Robert Bowers who killed 11 Jews at the Pittsburgh synagogue, had 21 guns registered to his name. 

He felt Jews were 'children of satan', 'enemies of whites' & was against immigrants. 

Bowers used Gab, the social media network where hate speech allowed as free speech. 

This is not the first such incident. Whites are an overwhelming majority in America.

But, time and again, White supremacists have resorted to shootings, killings in America. This shows how propaganda leads to persecution among majority & then this hate overcomes them so much that they live in the imaginary world.

Bowers, 46, kept posting hate-filled messages on social media earlier. He would call immigrants, 'invaders', and forward racist memes. He was spreading conspiracy theories and also felt that Muslims were brought to US by Jews.

New York Times reports: 

"The shooting came a day after federal authorities arrested a man in Florida on charges of sending mail bombs to prominent Democrats. The man, Cesar Sayoc Jr., had also posted vitriolic and sometimes violent messages — both online and on stickers attached to the windows of his van. Political rage fueled Mr. Sayoc, who railed against liberals and immigrants and echoed the saber-rattling rhetoric of Mr. Trump’s rallies, according to people who knew him".

READ: Who is Robert Bowers, the suspect in Pittsburgh shooting? 

READ: Inside Mail bombing accused Cesar Sayoc Jr's violent history

These are just a few of the innumerable incidents. From schools to prayer halls, the shooters have targeted kids, women and men. In fact, domestic white radical is the biggest threat in America today. 

This is a lesson for everybody--how spreading hate against minorities or immigrants can affect minds and damage societies. In India too, there is a constant media attack--hate campaign against Muslims, immigrants and 'outsiders'. This has resulted in right-wing extremism.

1. MUST-READ ON THIS SITE: White men not termed Terrorist, called 'shooter' or 'gunman'

2. DOUBLE STANDARDS: Insane gunman or shooter: Media must de-link religion from Terror

3. MAJORITARIAN RACISM: Why Dylann Roof was not termed Terrorist in US Media

Expose on Terrorism: India Today sting operation shows Sanatan Sanstha radicals admitting role in planting bombs

In a big expose, India Today has showed Sanatan Sanstha's radicals 'accepting' their role in planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

On camera, the radicals are seen making the confession. This was telecast on the TV c

The Sanstha's alleged operatives were arrested in the past and its role in many cases of bomb blasts was investigated also.



But this is one of the most shocking sting operations. It clearly shows that the Sanatan Sanstha cadre has been involved in nefarious activities, which are aimed at destablizing the country.

India Today mentions that, "though its members were acquitted in the case of bomb blasts outside Maharashtra theatres in the year 2008, two Sadhaks of the Goa-based right-wing organisation have made the startling confessions about their involvement in the terror attacks".

After the sting operation, Sanatan Sanstha countered the charges. Instead, on a website, its supporters put up photographs of journalists who were part of the team that conducted the sting operations. The exclusive report, 'Sanatan Sanstha workers reveal terror module on camera' was aired.

Soon after, the Sanastha countered it. However, the channel claimed that it had clear evidence and that its journalists would not be intimidated. Surprisingly, even after the sting, security agencies remained mum over the entire sting.

Only recently, ATS had conducted a raid and had caught huge cache of arms and explosives from the house of a person linked to the Sanatan Sanstha. The person Vaibhav Raut was caught from Nalasopara in Mumbai. LINK 

LINK: WATCH EXCLUSIVE REPORT AND VIDEO

Hinduism Vs Hindutva: Radicals supporting rape accused and terror convicts in India

No one could have believed it till a few decades ago that Indian society would change so drastically.

That, people would openly come out on streets and support killers or those involved in murder-rape of minor girl.

But this has happened and right-wing extremism has become mainstream in India.

The right-wing extremist groups openly advocate violence and yet manage to get away due to softness of the police, authorities.

The latest example of how Indian society has changed, was witnessed recently when a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) extremist who had been convicted by a court for bomb blast (Terrorism), was given a grand welcome.

The man--Bhavesh Patel was held guilty in a case of terrorism. Yet the crowd came to felicitate him. He was released on bail from the prison. There were politicians, members of right-wing groups around.

They carried him on his shoulders. There was slogan shouting, in his support. Rose petals were flung as he moved towards his home in Bharuch (Gujarat). Patel is one of the two persons who were held guilty in the case of terror attack on Ajmer Sharif dargah in Rajasthan.

This is just one of the incidents. Those arrested for rape, torture and murder of a girl child in Kathua in Jammu & Kashmir, were also given public support. Rallies were taken out and people wanted them released. That's India in the year 2018.  [Photo courtesy Indian Express]

Sanatan Sanstha extremist caught with explosives, terror strike foiled: ATS

The Sanatan Sanstha (SS), a right-wing extremist group, is once again in the news for wrong reasons.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has conducted a raid and arrested Vaibhav Raut, an alleged SS sympathiser.

Huge cache of explosives that were enough to make dozens of bombs, was recovered.

After the midnight swoop, the ATS team conducted more arrests. Raut was caught from Nalasopara in Mumbai.

The ATS sources say that the accused was planning terror strikes in different cities in Maharashtra.

The arrests later were made from Pune and Palghar. Multiple raids are on in Maharashtra at several places including Aurangabad.

The advocate of Sanatan Sanstha told media that though Raut was not associated with him he was a 'Hindutva worker' and the Sanstha would fight the legal case. LINK

Hindutva Hand: Right-wing terror module was behind Gauri Lankesh murder, accused arrested

The police have arrested the right-wing Hindutva extremists who were involved in hatching the conspiracy to kill journalist Gauri Lankesh.

Lankesh was murdered a few months ago. But the terrorist module had several other names including those of rationalists on their hit-list. The masterminds were Pune-based engineer Amol Kale and Parshuram Waghmare.

Along with other fanatics, they planned and murdered Lankesh. Apart from Waghmare and Kale, the other accused include KT Naveen Kumar, Sujith Kumar alias Praveen, Manohar Dundappa Edave alias Manoj and Amit Degwekar alias Pradeep Mahajan.

Edave, another accused, who is in police custody told police that he updated Kale and Dada, who is still absconding, about Lankesh's movement. Along with KT Naveen Kumar, Yadave had followed her.

Naveen Kumar's wife told SIT that her husband had bought a pistol and offered his blood to it. She told the police she had gone with her husband to Mangalore and when next day there were reports about the murder, she spoke to him but he didn't react.

Sources said that Naveen had met Praveen and other associates at Belagavi city hotel on November 20 to discuss the plan to eliminate KS Bhagwan, the noted writer. He admitted names of Kale, Parveen, Amit Digwekar and another person to a forest near Mandya to practice shooting.

The police found 22 cell phones in his possession and 21 in Kale's possession. Amil Kale, who livres in Pune, has been associated with Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), a radical Hindutva group in the past.

Waghmare had confessed that he shot Lankesh. Kalue and Amit had trained Parshuram at Satara in Maharashtra and Belagavi in Karnataka.  When asked why he killed her, he would tell interrogators that he did it for the 'sake of Hinduism'.

Waghmare had been arrested in the past with five Ram Sene members for unfurling a Pakistani flag outside tehsildar office at Sindagi. Kale had recruited and trained Waghmare. They had once made a bid on her life and failed. On the second occasion, the assassins pumped multiple bullets, killing her on the spot.

A diary has been recovering and there are names of several rationalists including theatre personality Girish Karnad in it. Other names on the hit-list include politician-litterateur B.T. Lalitha Naik, pontiff Veerabhadra Chennamalla Swamiji of Nidumamidi Mutt and rationalist C.S. Dwarakanath.

LINK 1, LINK 2, LINK 3 and LINK 4

SHAME: Right-wing Hindutva extremists raped girl, tortured, murdered her to scare Muslims

The horrific rape of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu has shaken the country.

The rapists including an ex-bureaucrat and a special police officer tortured the child--who was given sedatives and raped repeatedly after being kept confined in a the temple in Kathua.

It was a pre-planned crime that was aimed to scare the nomadic Muslims living in the region, says police charge-sheet. The DNA reports have corroborated the involvement of Sanji Ram, Special Police Officer Deepak Khajuria and others.

If that is not enough, they called a person to rape her once more, before she was to be killed. When the accused were arrested, the BJP (and some Congress too) leaders came out in support of rape accused.

They took out a 'tiranga yatra' in Jammu. Lawyers in Jammu supported the accused and resisted the charge-sheet in the court. The lawyer fight the child's case was threatened. BJP leaders including ministers kept speaking in favour of the rapists.

But the question that haunts us is that how could these people turn so evil that they planned to plan the horrible crime of kidnapping a child--the age of their granddaughter, and rape her in a temple!

Still, the BJP leaders came out demanding release of the monsters involved in the crime. There were rallies. The media was not interested. It took nearly three months, a charge-sheet, outrage on social media, that finally this case has got the attention.

The photographs of the accused, the story of the victim--nothing was carried in mass circulated English and Hindi newspapers for months. It was absolute silence. After candle light vigils and protests on April 12, finally media picked it up.

Still, BJP leaders on TV, were involved in hate speak and weird counter arguments. The incident shows how there is now a breed in India that has lost all sense of morality and can go to any extent to further their power, influence, authority and ideology. Right-wing Hindu extremism has reached Nazi level in India in 2018.

Time to wake, before it's too late. 

Terrorism: After 17 deaths in Florida school shooting, accept 'White Supremacist Terror' as big threat to society

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Will it now be acknowledged that 'White Supremacist Terror' is one of the biggest threats to the society?

It is a threat to society, not just in United States of America (USA), but outside too [including Europe].

As many a 17 persons including mostly students and staff, were shot dead in the massacre that has shocked the entire world.

Nikolas Cruz, a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, entered the school premises, opened fire, killing 17 people and injuring over 14.


Cruz used an AR-15 style rifle for the coldblooded murders on the school campus.

In fact, a month before the shooting, FBI had received a tip that Cruz had made a threat but due to 'error', this information wasn't taken seriously.

Most of the victims in the horrific school shootings were students who were teenagers.

Alyssa, Martin, Nicholas, Jaime, Luke, Cara, Gina, Alaina, Meadow, Helena, Alex, Carmen, Peter--they were all in the age group of 14-17. There were others Chris, Scott and Aaron, from the staff.

WHEN TERRORISTS DIDN'T FIT 'MEDIA-CREATED IMAGE'

There has been a long list of White men involved in shootings, massacres and killings in United States of America (USA).


Gun violence is one of the biggest problems for America. However, these people are often termed 'insane shooter', 'gunman', 'madman', but NOT terrorist.

The list of these 'gunmen' is long:

Anders Breivik killed 77 persons in Norway
Devin Kelley who killed 26 people in a Church
Wade Michael Page who killed devotees in a Sikh Gurdwara
Dylann Roof who killed nine blacks
Timothy McVeigh who killed 168 in Oklahama
James Holmes who killed people in a theatre
Robert James Talbot, Esteban Santiago, Alexandre Bissonette, Chris Harper Mercer, among others.

1. MUST-READ ON THIS SITE: White men not termed Terrorist, called 'shooter' or 'gunman'

2. DOUBLE STANDARDS: Insane gunman or shooter: Media must de-link religion from Terror

3. MAJORITARIAN RACISM: Why Dylann Roof was not termed Terrorist in US Media

Links about Florida school terror attack:

Victims of Florida School Shooting, names and photos
Wikipedia page on Stoneman Douglas school shootings in Florida
Florida gunman said he wanted to be a 'professional school shooter' and FBI were warned

How 'media mischief' ruins lives: Innocent Muslim girl termed 'bomber', her career ruined

That's the real power of pen, or byte, in our times--destroying lives.

Irresponsible reporting and you ruin lives just because you want to create sensation or because of your biases (communal) against certain sections of society.

A girl was wrongly termed 'fidayeen', 'a bomber'. On Republic day, the news flashed on TV screens.

All the major issues were now forgotten, and this 'sensational news' was on all TV channels.

But by next day, there were no follow-ups or any apology for wrong and misleading reporting.

So what happened to the girl? How she was termed a bomber? The fact is that there was not even an FIR registered in this case. She was not even arrested. Yet, it became national news on Republic Day, creating panic and fear.

Some websites reported how the girl returned to Pune. Others mentioned that the news was a hoax. Hoax? And all fell for it?* There, she said that how this incident affected her career.

"The Jammu and Kashmir Police have sent an email to Pune police clearing me of all the falsehoods. Unfortunately, because of the wrong and biased media reports and campaign against me, on 27 January, the college abruptly cancelled my admission for the nursing course".

However, even in these reports, her name was mentioned, which again demonizes her. How irresponsible and shabby, journalism can be in India. It's just a reflection of it. And this has been the norm here for decades.

Why media does it, again and again?

Come Jan 26 and Aug 15, when security is at its peak, such stories appear, year after year same pattern. This year too there was flash on channels 'fidayeen girl from Pune caught', without any confirmation.

All over India hundreds of people are stopped during security check on R-Day or I-Day. Four-wheelers, scooters, all sorts of vehicles are checked. This is routine.

Now when you cleverly write, 'Suspect caught, terror link not ruled out'. Who can deny this? You haven't termed the person terrorist but in a way linked him/her to terrorism.

Those reporters who never get a scoop otherwise, can sell this to their boss in newspaper as page 1 story. Power of pen! Happens in all states, cities.

Of course, security agencies feel good, it shows their alacrity on important days, that they are working hard, no blame either, journos doing it for them. Communal bias is another aspect.

The 'other' is always a suspect and while putting pen to paper, this is reflected. So what if lives are ruined! As far as victim is concerned, once the ordeal is over, they are so exhausted and relieved that they don't even think of taking legal steps.

Besides, when there are dozens of media houses, agencies, newspapers, channels. How many can you drag to courts? And once again it requires resources--money, links and power. If you don't have it, you can't do it.

Besides, it affects the person's own life. Hence, the victim also tries to rorget and forgive. That's how the world goes. This is how journalism works in the country.

43 year jail to man for attack at London mosque: India should have given stern punishment to those who demolished Babri Masjid

A man who drove into a mosque in United Kingdom, killing one and injuring nearly a dozen others, has been given a jail term of 43 years.

The man, Darren Osborne, had plowed into the crowd of devotees at mosque, killing a man--Mukaram Ali.

This incident had occurred in London. Osborne, 48, has been jailed for 43 years, with no chance of parole. Osborne had driven a rented van into devotees who were leaving the evening prayers during the Ramzan.

"The prosecutors said Osborne was motivated by a hatred of Muslims and was radicalized by online far-right and Islamophobic propaganda", reports NY Post.

The judge said that Osborne's mind had been poisoned by far-right extremist ideas and he showed no signs of remorse. Your mindset became one of the malevolent hatred, the judge said, adding that, 'this was a terrorist attack. you intended to kill'.

This is indeed exemplary. This is justice. Swift trial and sentence within a short time. The incident had occurred on June 18, 2017. The judgment came in less than a year. When the prosecution intends to get the accused, due sentence, and the courts deliver judgments timely, it leads to order in the society.

In India, we must learn from it. In 1992, Babri Masjid was demolished in full public view. The chief minister of UP, Kalyan Singh, had given oath to the Apex court, didn't honour it. Top BJP leaders had brought the 'Kar Sevaks'.

It was indeed attack on India's values, India's religious freedom, India's secular ethos, India's law-and-order, yet, Congress government and CBI remained indifferent. The criminal case wasn't pursued. The courts apparently didn't consider it a serious crime.

Those who were responsible became ministers and chief ministers and reached posts of Governors and Deputy Prime Minister. So, that's the difference, between a society governed by law and a society where law collapses or can be subverted.

If only, exemplary punishment was given to those who planned and were involved in destruction of the Babri Mosque or leaders involved in communal riots, inflammatory speeches, things won't have deteriorated in later years. 

No action, No FIR, No outrage over Rakesh Sinha's open threat during live TV debate

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) 'thinker' Prof Rakesh Sinha made a highly objectionable statement on TV.

During a debate, he alleged issued the threat. He clearly gave the warning that, 'you won't be able to survive for more than 15 seconds'.

Surprisingly, this didn't lead to much outrage. Media largely ignored it. A few websites did cover it, for example, Janta Ka Reporter. There was no action, no FIR and not even any attempt to make him apologise.

"Sinha told the panelist representing the AIMIM, “I am not even talking about Asim Waqar (from AIMIM) whose leader (Akbaruddin Owaisi) wanted police removed for 15 minutes. I am saying that if there’s a retaliation against them, forget 15 minutes, you wouldn’t even survive 15 seconds", reports the website.

"Sinha later told Janta Ka Reporter that his comments were not intended towards Muslims adding that he was merely referring to the AIMIM leaders", the website further mentions. Still, wasn't it a threat? Didn't he make the comments? The video is quite clear that he gave the threat.

This is in sharp contrast to AIMIM leader Akbar Owaisi's statement when he faced multiple FIRs and had led to debate on national TV channels, which continued for days.

Akbar Owaisi was arrested and had to go to jail. Surprisingly, Rakesh Sinha's comments--not in a rally but in TV studio and telecast live, caused little outrage.

This was during a debate on News24 channel. Sinha talked about AIMIM and then said that not 15 minutes, they would not be able to stand even for 15 seconds in case of retaliation. The line was
'.... 15 second nahi tik payenge......'

Clearly, there are double standards. Not only media ignored it and paid little attention, the authorities had no interest in such an open display of bigotry and warning. Else, we find people getting booked for sedition even when there is little evidence.

Watch him utter the lines after 17.45 minutes in this video below:

VIDEO: Rakesh Sinha's chilling warning on TV channel