Terrorism and the State

The roots of violence:

Wealth without work,
Pleasure without conscience,
Knowledge without character,
Commerce without morality,
Science without humanity,
Worship without sacrifice,
Politics without violence.

M Gandhi

Terrorism and Governance

What is terrorism? Terrorism is defined as ‘the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people with the intention of intimidating or coercing often for ideological or political reasons.’ By this definition, we should wonder if the government, which is an organised group, though directly or indirectly elected by us, is itself involved in terrorism. In fact, terrorism can be physical, political, social, mental, or ideological. To a great extent, exercise of power indiscreetly, is terrorism. If we extend this definition, it may also mean amassing wealth disproportionately and unethically at the cost of others not so wealthy by powerful people within the state or by some super powers at the cost of poorer countries.

In a way, the US is responsible for a kind of the state terrorism exercised by it on other countries. Since 1945, the United States has been reported to have intervened in other countries 67 times, causing twelve million deaths, by overt or covert action. Hence, the targets of the September 11 terrorist attack were symbolic of anger with the World Trade Centre, representing a system of world trade that amasses ill-gotten wealth in a few hands at the cost of impoverishing billions in the Third World. This may also symbolise an attack on the super power for its sophisticated bellicosity against the rogue nations, which do not toe its line of thinking.

Talking of state terrorism further, the state has all the power- the police force, the intelligence, which it uses at its sweet will to serve its vested interests. The media is by and large in league with the government and the political party in power. Even these pillars of democracy at times are seen terrorising the people in their own way. The common act or threat of violence by the state police to create fear and extract information through third degree methods or narcotic test on a victim definitely amounts to state terror. Hence, terrorism emanates from legitimate political institutions intent upon creating a state of fear for political ends, and therefore includes the activities of sovereign states themselves. The lawful citizen is helpless in view of the state terrorism compounded by secrecy, deception and hypocrisy as the terrorist states typically act with clandestine brutality.

A few recent examples of state terrorism are the handling of Arushi/Hemraj murder case. No body knows who the actual culprit is. How the state police and then the CBI terrorised the accused or victims no one knows is an act of state terrorism. Recent gruesome murder of government engineer Manoj Kumar Gupta in Auraia (UP) is the latest in the series of state sponsored terrorism. It is learnt that the police have decided to invoke the provisions of the National Security Act (NSA) and the Gangster Act on BSP MLA Shekhar Tiwari and the other accused in connection with the murder of a senior here on Wednesday but he still remains as a loyalist of Mayawati’s BSP. We shall forget him like we have forgotten Satyendra Dubey, the NHAI engineer at the Golden Quadrilateral highway construction project, another victim of state goondaism. It was reported that Uday Kumar, prime accused in the murder case fled from the Patna civil court giving the slip to a police team escorting him! Another ghastly act sponsored by state or the goons of the party in power is the murder of Manjunath, an MBA from IIM Lucknow and an engineer with IOC. We all have forgotten about these cases. Even if we remember, can we do any thing?

If history is any testimony, the fact will be established beyond doubt that all countries have been involved in the acts of terrorism in some way or the other. The question is how this monster can be tackled. A state can handle terrorism from within or outside with all means and methods at its command.

To escape from this terrorism is a near impossible. It can certainly be brought under control by an enlightened and disciplined citizenry. Vigilant people will ensure that all state governs as per the provisions of national and international laws and that all the institutions of the state mechanisms function transparently. Until we monitor them effectively, the state will let loose terror on people even with the excuse of eliminating the non-state terrorism. If vigilant citizens check state sponsored terrorism, I am sure, external threats of terror can be checked as the latter feeds on the former or vice versa.

The present surge of emotions in the public, marked with natural cynicism against the system, can be capitalised for building a resurgent and renascent India. This is time that eminent people from all walks of the society created and expanded the network all over India; enrol members to be actively involved in the mass awareness. Let there be people's forums, which set agenda and action plan. All these small groups and sub-groups must put their acts together and act as a cohesive Watchdog. They can compel the state to govern. People’s power is more lethal than the muscle and money power.

Lastly, we should also be prepared to provide leadership, which is ready to provide alternative efficacious governance. In a simple way, we must build power- power of collective people's leadership. When 100 people collectively take up an issue, it has a force. Can we have a 100- people brigade in every district, who will raise the issues and can also act as watchdog of the government's schemes and make the government agencies and leaders accountable to people. The atmosphere is right now. Many youths wish to do something but have no defined path or leadership. Can we provide them the leadership? Let’s all pledge to eliminate the rein of terror.

We all know that India is a great country and we all love it. Please keep the religion and caste on the back burner. Think of only development and governance as an agenda. No terror can strike a country whose people are watchful and alert. Let there be governance and there will be no terrorism

Hallabol- A movement to re-build India

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead

Our Mission

In straight talk, it is a mission to cleanse the machinery of governance when we have parliamentary elections in 2014. We aim to make it the biggest movement of the people to demand a clean and transparent government.

We want all of you to prepare for the D-day in 2014 when you will be sending your representatives to Parliament.

It will be a great event in the history of India. As you all know that lot of churning is going on. There is an under-current among all- the young, the old and men and women of all ages. They feel that some thing is amiss. Every one talks that this is not the India which our freedom fighters had dreamt of. That is why this movement of the people, by the people, for the people! Come and join the hallabol. You have nothing to lose but your sloth and slumber!

Our guiding principles and core beliefs

Individual freedom

We strongly believe in human freedom and dignity. When we say this, we also are aware of the danger of misuse of this freedom as license. It is, therefore, subject to certain accountability and restrictions. Our freedom should not infringe on others’ freedom and should be self-regulated by responsibility.

Transparency and openness

Transparency brings accountability. Hence, our core base will be transparency. We shall ensure that all information is accessible to citizens and that there is adequate channel for getting feedback from the public. We shall encourage public debates on the government policies and priorities. Our effort will be to build a cohesive and inclusive society, where the poor are protected. Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interests.

We shall maintain objectivity in carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits and that the holders of public office should make choices on merits.

We aim at building an “open society”, where the citizens are able to debate government policies and the future direction of their country and freedom is maximised, but the weak and the poor are protected. Politicians should make themselves readily accessible to the media. In such a society, the media accepts its responsibility to filter information fairly and objectively, so that citizens are accurately informed. The purpose of such access is clear: to build public trust, which in turn safeguards against corruption. Political leaders who find themselves under intensive, regular public scrutiny are more inclined to act honestly, ethically, and in the public interest – and less inclined to sell out the public interest in favour of their own.

One can begin with the assumption that all information belongs to the public. For, unless there are compelling reasons why it should be withheld, information is held in trust by a government to be used in the public interest.

Accountability

Our guiding principle is that the holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Public participation and collaboration

We would like to empower the people as the public engagement improves government efficiency. We would like people to participate in policy making and to invite input from people so that they play a more meaningful in the democratic process. We shall encourage a continuous dialogue between the people and their governments.

Monitoring and Audit

It is said that people are as corrupt as the system allows them to be. It is therefore imperative that there is continuous monitoring of the government functioning by independent agencies.

We would like the public to be vigilant and watchful. Apart from that, we shall have mechanisms of checks and balances so that there is a neat and clean political environment.

Rule of law

In the name of democracy and freedom, people tend to forget that their freedom is subject to their accountability towards other fellow citizens. Hence, we believe that there is a rule of law and all citizens respect and follow it. All citizens shall be treated equally before law. We would like the laws to be simple and actionable. Throughout the world, experience has shown that without the Rule of Law, efforts to combat corruption are largely futile. If judges are not impartial, professional in their work, and independent, the criminal law cannot be relied upon as a major weapon in the struggle to contain corruption. If they are actually corrupt, the situation is even worse. Judicial independence is asserted internationally in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. However, global surveys suggest that the public see many judiciaries as being weak, dictated to by politicians or even indulging in corrupt practices.

Affordable Legal system and timely delivery of justice

For a civilised society it is essential that there is an effective and affordable justice delivery system. People should have trust in the institutions. We would like local people to decide their own cases amicably. People should trust

Corruption- free society

When corruption and democracy become bedfellows, there is going to be chaos and disaster. Corruption is like a cancer which erodes all values and eats in to the vitals of a civilized society. When institutions lose their legitimacy, they are misused for private advantages. Accountable leadership cannot develop in corrupt atmosphere.

Loss of public trust in the political system and disillusionment results in a weak civil society. When the power holders try to treat the national assets in to personal property, honest citizens search for some other pastures in some foreign lands.

National wealth is looted and plundered when corruption is pervasive. We believe that National resources are to be utilized for sustainable projects rather than uneconomical big projects. Our priorities are schooling, health, livelihood, environment, roads, power and water. We aim at a fair market structure and investment friendly economy.

Debates and deliberations: Role of Civil society

All civilised societies and democracies are founded on public debate and discussions. In any society, there are bound to be difference of opinion. But, in democracy, such issues are discussed at appropriate platforms. We, therefore, would like to resolve all differences through public participation and forums. We would like the civil society to play a bigger role in monitoring the progress of the society.

Ethical standards: Codes of Conduct for MPs, MLAs, Ministers and Public Officials

We shall insist that an elected representative, government officer or employee shall not act in his/her official capacity in any matter wherein he/she has a direct or indirect personal/ financial interest that might be expected to impair his/her objectivity or independence of judgment. The holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties. They will maintain highest ethical standards in their public dealings.

It is observed that corrupt practices appear to be multiplying beyond the public sector and across society at large: in a private sector prepared to bribe for business and to lobby against necessary reforms, in the privately-owned media, auditing, internal and independent agency. It will be, therefore, our effort that all governing process is transparent so that making more information available to its citizens would stimulate economic activity, help curb corruption, and ensure more efficient and effective governance.

Exemplary leadership

We believe in a leadership which is inspiring and exemplary particularly the holders of public office should exhibit and promote high quality of leadership and integrity. Immunity for politicians is factored to protect the democratic process – not to establish a class of individuals who are above and beyond the reach of the law.

Principle of equality

We shall ensure that all citizens are treated equally before law. Certain immunities possessed by some political class and high officials can render them effectively above and beyond the reach of the law. As a consequence, it is believed that criminals have run for political office solely to obtain this protection.

It is generally accepted that there should be some form of immunity for senior public figures and judges to enable them to perform their tasks. But the debate over the extent of these immunities is highly polarised. For some, the immunity principle safeguards freedom of expression in the legislature, and so lies at the core of the democratic system. For others, immunity actively undermines equality before the law and the very foundations of a democracy. Immunity is given not as an honour or a privilege, but rather is a sacred trust that enables an individual to discharge his or her public duties effectively

Free and Responsible Media

A free, independent and pluralistic media is essential to a free and open society and to accountable systems of government. The media has to play the role of a watchdog

Systems and processes of checks and balances

Let us admit that we all are weak and susceptible to greed and temptations. Hence, a strong system of checks and balances is essential for a successful democracy. The principle of accountability should apply to all organs of the government viz., the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

It is, therefore, mandated that there are independent " Anti-corruption” Agencies or Commissions managed by civil society. Theses agencies are accessible by the people and are accountable to people.

Role of the Civil Society

We believe that the civil society should play an important role in the state mechanism. The main function of the various instruments in the civil society is to check the state’s monopoly in dealing with its citizenry. These instruments are in the shape of some institutions such as professional associations, religious groups, labor unions, charity organizations, citizen advocacy organizations, that give voice to various sectors of society and enrich public participation in democracies.

As a matter of fact, other intellectual forums including the press and the media can be brought under this category though most newspapers and TV channels are run as for-profit businesses. Even if they are seen as part of the commercial world, they may be part of the civil society. It means they have to perform more responsible role in filtering the right information among the citizens.

A civil society should play important role in ensuring that human rights are not violated and that human dignity is respected by the state and also that the state treats all its citizens equally, that there vis no discrimination on the basis of creed and colour.

In short, the civil societies should help in creating a world without any barriers and borders.