‘Pak postpones solving problems’

This US professor has a mantra to tackle terror. The author of celebrated book Good Muslim, Bad Muslim and professor of Governance, Columbia University suggested ‘de-globalising’ the global enemy ‘terror’ to trace its origin and causes, Bhavika Jain reports.

This US professor has a mantra to tackle terror.

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The author of celebrated book Good Muslim, Bad Muslim and professor of Governance, Columbia University (New York) Mahmood Mamdani suggested ‘de-globalising’ the global enemy ‘terror’ to trace its origin and causes.

“We must learn to de-globalise the term ‘terror’, because after every conflict we need to regionalise it in order to find a reason for it,” said Mamdani, who added that a war against terrorism could never be won, as it was a permanent war.

However, solving problems on time could avoid violence, he said. “Pakistan, like Israel, has never solved problems, but only postponed them which have resulted in what they are going through today,” he added.

Mamdani spoke at a press conference held in Mumbai on Wednesday.

In the backdrop of the recent terror attacks in the city, Mamdani said no government could tackle terror without tackling core issues like internal security. “Any terror attack whether 9/11 or 26/11 did not happen on its own. While it is important that every government should ensure security to its citizens, it is also important to know that this cannot happen unless it addresses the reasons which cause insecurity among the people.”

Citing the example of Ireland and its long struggle for independence that resulted in a war, Mamdani said the British government did not recognise Ireland’s demand for an independent state. “This caused a lot of damage to both the sides.”

“It is important to de-globalise and regionalise issues before addressing them, this is the only long term solution to tackle terror,” added Mamdani.

Political violence and criminal violence, meaning terrorism, cannot be separated, he said.