The monster of extremism and fanaticism does not discriminate between the civilian and the khaki in our society.
LINKOPING, SWEDEN: This is with reference to Ayesha Siddiqa’s article of May 29 titled “Security lapses”. No doubt Ms Siddiqa writes well and incisively on topics and issues related to the armed forces. And before some of us get carried away by her latest ‘broadside’ on our navy, let us not forget that the armed forces are part of this nation and share the national psyche, which of late has become quite charged with religious fanaticism.
The monster of extremism and fanaticism roams freely in our society and does not discriminate between the civilian and the khaki. It is time to arrest and contain this creature. The usual inquiries will not be enough. The surgery will have to be at a much higher level and the whole nation will have to participate in the operation.
MAV
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2011.
