Therefore, Deoband’s denunciation of terrorism deserves to be widely welcomed. Nevertheless, in the interest of a free, frank and all-sided debate, I have to point out certain features of the Deoband declaration which dilute its main anti-terror message. For example, its censure of the Congress-led UPA government for targeting innocent Muslims is far more elaborate and overt than its condemnation of terrorism in the name of Islam. Look at the exaggeration, bordering on distortion, in the declaration: “The situation has worsened so far that every Indian Muslim, especially those associated with madrassas, who are innocent with good record of characters, are always gripped by the fear that they might be trapped by the administrative machinery anytime. Today countless number of innocent Muslims are spending their lives behind the bars.”

It would have been helpful if the conference had equally vehemently exhorted that no madrassa in India should harbour a single extremist preacher giving sermons of intolerance towards other faiths or, for that matter, other Muslim sects. Similarly, its anti-terrorism call would have acquired greater credibility if it had explicitly condemned Al-Qaeda, called upon Pakistan not to export terrorism, through the ISI and several terrorist bodies operating from its soil, and simultaneously called upon the Muslim community to be vigilant about their recruits operating from our own soil. After all, terrorist groups cannot act or survive without local help. Whether the government is that of the Congress or the BJP, security forces have to do their jobs diligently — nab suspects, conduct investigation and bring culprits to justice.

... contd.