Family members mourn the victims of the Amarnath Yatra terror attack. (PTI)
Protesters carry a huge tricolour at a vigil for the Amarnath Yatra terror attack victims in Delhi. (PTI)
Bodies of the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims killed in terror attack were brought to Gujarat on Tuesday. (PTI)
Students in Surat pay tribute to the victims of the Amarnath Yatra terror attack. (PTI)
Condemnation of incidents like the Amarnath carnage mean less than ever before.The same sentiments were expressed when Tikalal Taploo, Lassa Kaul, PN Handoo, were killed and also when HL Khera, (General Manager, HMT, Srinagar) was abducted and later tortured to death by Muslims.
There used to be a towering Delhi leader, Madan Lal Khurana, who would call for a Delhi bandh every time such killings occurred. Delhi would comply spontaneously, willingly. I have seen even a paan-wala would not open shop and movie halls were closed when the bandh call was given in protest of Hindus killed in Kashmir by Islamist Jihadis. With the passage of time, Hindus understood, their lives will not be saved while netas continue living safely and hence, there is no use in heeding such bandh calls. We got used to seeing the daily killings of Hindus in Kashmir and continued working on our daily routine.
We have photocopies of harsh, very harsh, sometimes semi-harsh (as the situation may demand) expressions of condemnation for such actions as we saw in Amarnath. From our comfort zones, we issue huge sheets of our deep-felt sympathies laced with very prudently selected words like "dastardly", "cowardly", "despicable", and, finally, "unacceptable".
The condemnation letters are always ready, only the dates have to be changed.
The Amarnath pilgrims' massacre proves once again that the Hindus of India are still paying heavy price for just being a Hindu.
FOOTNOTE
Friends have mentioned that there have been strong Muslim voices against the Amarnath carnage; I agree. My column above mentions how Kashmiri Muslims love to live in peace under the tricolour. That sums up my feelings for them. But ignoring that, another line has been picked up, which is a deliberate attempt to create a controversy while Hindus are grieving.
Muslims have always condemned such incidents. Wasn't Tika Lal Taploo's tragic killing condemned by all? When I said Muslim voices, I meant voices who bear influence on extremist Muslims - voices who cry for Azadi and support separatists.
I have always stood for Hindu Muslim-solidarity and a need to stand together as Indians.
(Tarun Vijay is a BJP leader and former MP from Uttarakhand.)
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
