“Terrorism has no religion, no race, and no humanity—it is the enemy of all.”
The memories of 26/11 still haunt Mumbai. The brutal terrorist attack on the Taj Hotel in 2008, where over 160 innocent lives were lost, including brave security personnel and foreign nationals, remains one of the darkest chapters in India’s history. The sound of gunfire, the blazing flames, and the cries of the victims pierced the heart of the nation.
But the story didn’t end there.
In 2019, Pulwama, the land was again soaked with the blood of 40 CRPF soldiers when a suicide bomber targeted a convoy. These weren’t just soldiers—they were fathers, sons, and husbands. Their widows’ wails still echo in our conscience, reminding us of the real cost of terrorism.
And now, Pahalgam joins this tragic list. Reports reveal that terrorists identified people by their religion and shot dead Hindu civilians in cold blood. The screams of the victims and the tears of the bereaved families shake our soul. Until when will we let this cycle continue?
🕊️ A Global Plague
Terrorism isn’t India’s burden alone. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2024, countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and Somalia continue to suffer extreme casualties due to extremist violence. In 2023 alone, more than 8,000 lives were lost globally due to acts of terrorism. In Israel and Palestine, violence has escalated with devastating civilian impact. In Nigeria, groups like Boko Haram have murdered thousands over the years.
Terrorism is not bound by borders—it is a global disease.
⚖️ The Fight Must Be Against Terrorism, Not Religion or Nations
Let us be clear: our enemy is not any religion or nationality. Our enemy is the mindset of hatred, the ideology that glorifies violence, and the networks that fund and fuel terror operations.
As Kofi Annan once said,
“We should ask ourselves whether the global fight against terrorism is actually reducing the threat or inadvertently multiplying it.”
🌍 Time to Strengthen Global Unity
To uproot terrorism, we need international cooperation and stronger global institutions:
- FATF (Financial Action Task Force) – Blocks financial support to terrorist organizations.
- Interpol – Enables international police coordination to catch terrorists across borders.
- UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) – Supports countries in building effective counter-terrorism frameworks.
- Global Coalition Against Daesh – A 80+ country alliance dedicated to eliminating ISIS and related threats.
India has long advocated for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the United Nations to create a unified global definition and legal framework to combat terrorism. Sadly, lack of political consensus has delayed this crucial step.
🫱🏼🫲🏽 Let’s Unite Before It’s Too Late
We need to stop asking “Who did it?” and start asking “How can we stop it—together?”
Terrorism must be fought not just by armies, but by the unity of people, the strength of institutions, and the resolve of humanity. From the streets of Pahalgam to the alleys of Paris, from the beaches of Bali to the plains of Nigeria, the message must be loud and clear:
“No more blood. No more division. No more terror.”
This is the time to stand as one. Only together—hand in hand, across borders and beyond differences—can we create a world where no mother loses her son to a bullet, no child sleeps with fear, and no faith is manipulated for violence.