When the UPA Government repealed POTA, it argued that the existing laws were enough to deal with the terrorism menace. Heavy political mileage was achieved. Muslims were given the impression that a great relief has been granted to them. After every terrorist attack during the last four-and-a-half years, a debate ensued whether the present laws were enough to deal with terrorism. In fact, all strategic thinkers, intelligence agencies, police administration and the ilk have been voicing the need of an effective anti-terror law as the existing laws are not adequate in dealing with terrorists who are equipped with the latest weapons and technology.

Since the UPA Government came to power, the quantum of terrorist attacks in Maharashtra, UP, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and other States have increased. Police and intelligence agencies are found wanting due to absence of an act similar to POTA.

One cannot handle modern day high-tech terrorism with rusty laws that are useful only in cases of petty crime. The States that wanted a law on the lines of MCOCA were not given necessary assent by the Central Government. When asked, Shivraj Patil said, "We cannot allow the States to have such laws that were repealed by us in 2004." However, MCOCA continues to be in parlance in Maharashtra. This is a clear case of double standards and discrimination against BJP Governments.

The latest Delhi serial blasts have shaken the confidence of Delhi'ites. Millions rang up their acquaintances in Delhi to know their well being. Congress leaders started realising that it is going to cost them heavily in the forthcoming Delhi Assembly elections. They sensed that the benefit of repealing POTA would not match the loss in the forthcoming elections in several States. Therefore, the Central Government fished out the Veerappa Moiley report to make an anti-terror law.

M K Narayanan now tells people that a stringent law would be required to deal with the terrorists. Home Minister Patil, not aware of the public mood, rebuffed Narayanan. Shortly after consulting Sonia Gandhi, the Prime Minister admitted the mistake of removal of POTA in 2004 and voiced the need for a comprehensive anti-terror law on the lines of the international consensus on anti-terror laws.

This change of policy of UPA Government is the acceptance of the mistake of removing POTA.

The international consensus on anti-terror law had been reached seven years back. USA, UK, France and dozens of other countries follow these guidelines. This consensus was in place when POTA was repealed four years back. What is the new international consensus that Manmohan Singh is referring to? Of course there was no reason to repeal POTA except the votebank approach of pseudo-secular parties. Whether or not Manmohan Singh or the Congress concedes, the 2004 decision to repeal POTA was a dangerous political move, which encouraged terrorists, their supporters and sympathisers. Since then, the scenario of terrorism in India changed altogether.

Earlier terrorism required Pakistan's ISI and their members to implement it but now there are thousands of Indian Mujahideen. If one doubts it one can go through the e-mails sent by Indian Mujahideen just before the terrorists acts in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Jaipur and Delhi. All these e-mails, sent in the span of one year, prove beyond doubt the authenticity of the Indian Mujahideen. Absence of a POTA like act has increased their confidence to challenge the Indian State as never before.

According to MK Narayanan, the number of terrorist sleeping cells has increased to 800 across the country. During the NDA rule, these cells had reduced from 300 to 150 as per reports of intelligence officers.

There cannot be any doubt that the repeal of POTA convinced the homegrown terrorists that they can blast any place, anytime with impunity. The fact that law has not been allowed to take its course in the case of Afzal Guru is a case in point. However, the Home Minister justifies this derailment of law. He said in a press conference that the matter is pending with the Delhi Government and he can't do anything. Would he have said the same thing if Delhi Government was not of the Congress and Afzal Guru was not a Muslim?

The UPA Government's greatest achievement in the last four years is that, henceforth, terrorists need not be imported. They are now homegrown. I am convinced that the proposed comprehensive anti-terror law would be just an eyewash. The brave declaration is for the public consumption to counterbalance the anti-Congress mood of the people.

Courtesy: www.dailypioneer.com, September 21, 2008