As the world focuses on Israel’s war against Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, little attention is being given to a major terrorist incident that occurred this week in India. A series of bomb blasts along the commuter train network in Mumbai Tuesday left 200 people dead and more than 700 people injured. That was nearly four times the number of people killed in the July 7, 2005 London bombings.

The group most likely responsible for the Mumbai bombings is the Kashmir-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba however, Al-Qaeda terrorists have reportedly now set up a terrorist network in Kashmir and may be to blame.
Some members of the India media suggest Pakistani intelligence may be responsible and even Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pointed the finger at Pakistan saying the terrorists were “supported by elements from across the border.”

India’s Anti-Terrorist Squad is investigating and has yet to determine which group may be responsible for the attacks. While the terrorists are the ones responsible for the taking of innocent lives, some Indians say government authorities and Hindu relief agencies must share some of the blame.

They say members of India’s Hindu nationalist BJP party and it’s militant parent organization, the RSS often pressure police and prosecutors to drop charges against Hindu terrorists discovered with arms or bomb making materials. They say Muslims are frequently blamed for attacks when Hindu militants like the Bajrang Dal are responsible. That breeds resentment among Indian Muslims.

Terrorism is still terrorism no matter which group is behind an attack they say; Muslims and Hindus should be treated alike.

Last fall when a devastating earthquake hit the Kashmir region, few Hindu relief groups responded to help the victims. One official reportedly said his organization did not want to help a bunch of Muslims. This is in contrast to Christian groups that responded quickly to bring relief to the region.

Impoverished and impressionable, young Indian Muslims suffering discrimination and rejection are easily persuaded to join militant groups which promise them self-worth through jihad. The Indian government and non-government organizations need to spend more time and effort reaching out to them, convincing them that there is a better way.