Dr. Abhijit Jasrotia
Terrorism has left deep scars on Bharat’s history, but its use as a political weapon is a story that hurts even more. While it’s hard to pin down exactly when terrorism began in the world-maybe centuries ago with assassinations or rebellions-its role in Bharat’s politics started not too long ago, in the 1980s. This is when we saw it being twisted to serve political goals, especially in Punjab and Kashmir, and even in attacks on our Parliament, the very heart of our democracy. This article looks at how terrorism was used by some leaders to hold on to power, often at the cost of innocent lives and the trust we place in our system. It’s a story of betrayal, but also of courage from people like Khushwant Singh and L.K. Advani, who stood up for what was right. As we mark important moments like the 2001 Parliament attack, let’s revisit these events not to fuel anger, but to stay alert and protect our nation’s soul. As B.R. Ambedkar, the father of our Constitution, once said, “The Constitution is not just a legal document; it is a vehicle of life, and its spirit reflects the times we live in.” Today, that spirit calls for strength and unity against those who misuse terror for their own ends.
The Pain of Punjab: When Politics Fueled Violence
In the early 1980s, Punjab became a battleground where terrorism was born out of political games. It started with genuine demands from farmers and concerns about Sikh identity, but these were hijacked by separatists, reportedly backed by Pakistan’s ISI. What could have been peaceful protests turned into bombings, killings, and hatred between communities. The worst moment came on October 31, 1984, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated .
What followed was heartbreaking. Congress workers, egged on by some leaders, took to the streets in Delhi and other cities, targeting innocent Sikhs. Over 3,000 people were killed in just three days, with mobs using voter lists to find Sikh homes. Rajiv Gandhi, who became Prime Minister at a young age, said something that still stings: “When a big tree falls, the earth shakes.” It was as if he was saying the violence was just a natural outcome, almost excusing those who carried it out.
But one man stood tall in this dark time-Khushwant Singh, a well-known writer and Rajya Sabha MP. He spoke out bravely in Parliament, criticising the Congress government. He said that while others were busy attacking innocents, it was the RSS volunteers who were helping the injured and saving lives. His words, bold and honest, remind us of what Rabindranath Tagore once said: “The nation’s voice of anger changes its tune with time and shifting alliances.” In Punjab, that tune divided people, leading to over 30,000 deaths in a decade of violence.
One chilling example from this time is the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing. Khalistani terrorist , possibly supported by the ISI, planted a bomb on the plane, killing all 329 people on board, mostly Canadian-Indians. Though this happened abroad, it was linked to Punjab’s troubles, and some leaders in Bharat downplayed it to avoid upsetting some voters. As Bhagat Singh’s famous words echo, “Inquilab Zindabad” (Long Live the Revolution), but in Punjab, that revolution was twisted into a tool for votes.
Kashmir’s Tragedy: Power Over People
If Punjab was the spark, Kashmir was where the fire raged. In the late 1980s, the Muslim United Front (MUF), a group of Islamist and separatist leaders, was winning elections in Jammu and Kashmir. This scared the National Conference, led by Farooq Abdullah, who didn’t want to lose their grip on power. There were claims of election rigging-ballots tampered, results changed-and when MUF leaders appealed to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, he reportedly told Home Minister Buta Singh to follow the state government’s orders. The excuse was that MUF’s win would lead to “another Pakistan or Bangladesh.”
This wasn’t new. Jawaharlal Nehru had made a similar mistake decades earlier, ignoring warnings about Sheikh Abdullah and Article 370, only to later jail him for 14 years. Rajiv repeated this error, dismissing the democratic will of Kashmiris. MUF leaders like Yasin Malik, feeling betrayed, crossed over to Pakistan, becoming militants. The first group of Hizbul Mujahideen fighters included five National Conference workers, showing how politics pushed people toward violence.
The result was devastating. In 1990, over 300,000 Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee their homes after targeted killings. More than 650 were murdered, with mosques used to announce hit lists. While this happened, some political leaders were reportedly relaxing abroad, leaving behind over 1.5 lakh unmarked graves in Kashmir-proof of lives lost in a conflict fueled by power games. Mahatma Gandhi’s words ring true here: “You can chain me, you can destroy me, but you will never imprison my mind.” The Pandits, living in camps across Bharat, carry that spirit, a reminder of the cost of political greed.
Then came the hijacking of IC-814 to Kandahar. Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of Home Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, was kidnapped by Yasin Malik’s JKLF. The government gave in, releasing dangerous terrorists. But the story feels strange-why did Rubaiya later show sympathy for Malik, her so-called kidnapper? Article 370 tied the hands of security agencies, but the quick surrender raises questions about hidden motives. Later, Mufti’s PDP joined hands with Congress, adding to the suspicion.
Another painful moment was the 2000 Chhatisinghpora massacre, where 36 Sikhs were killed by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The attack was blamed on Pakistan, but some innocents were killed afterward to shift blame, showing how politics turned tragedy into a drama. Tagore’s words fit here: “It is holding up gigantic selfishness as the one universal religion for all nations.”
On X, people still express their pain. Journalist @ShefVaidya tweeted on January 19, 2023: “Kashmiri Pandits were driven out while Delhi looked away. 33 years later, we demand justice. Terrorism in Kashmir was ignored by the state. #JusticeForPandits.” Another user, @KanchanGupta, posted on February 9, 2024: “Afzal Guru’s hanging was delayed for votes. Kashmir heals only with truth. #BharatFirst.”
The Attack on Democracy: Parliament 2001
Nothing shows the misuse of terrorism like the December 13, 2001, attack on our Parliament, called the “temple of democracy.” Five terrorists from Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and LeT, using a fake Home Ministry car, attacked the heart of Bharat. Nine brave souls lost their lives-Constable Kamlesh Kumari, who first raised the alarm, ASI Nanak Chand, and others like gardeners and guards. They truly saved our Constitution. The author suggests we mark this day as “Constitution Garima Diwas” to honour them, and it’s a call worth hearing. As Ambedkar said, “No matter how good a Constitution is, it fails if those running it are not good.”
Afzal Guru, who helped plan the attack, arranged the fake car, much like Yasin Malik’s alleged role in killing an Air Force officer in 1990. Convicted in 2002 and sentenced to death in 2005, Afzal’s case dragged on under the UPA government. Mercy petitions piled up, even from unexpected people like AAP leader Atishi who was CM of Delh, as claimed by MP Swati Maliwal from AAP . In 2006 India Today poll showed 78% of people wanted Afzal hanged, but the UPA seemed more worried about vote banks.
L.K. Advani, the Opposition Leader, spoke firmly: “Why increase my security? Just hang him as the court ordered.” His focus was clear-nation first. Shockingly, in 2006, the UPA sent Yasin Malik to Pakistan to meet Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Reports even claim the then-PM thanked Malik, with a photo as proof.
The delay in justice had consequences. On September 7, 2011, a blast outside the Delhi High Court killed 11 people. Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami claimed it as revenge for Afzal’s death sentence. The UPA’s leaders stayed silent, unmoved. Imagine if we had a leader like Narendra Modi then-would we have seen a strong response, like Operation Sindoor, to defend our Constitution?
On X, @t_d_h_nair wrote on December 13, 2023: “22 years since the Parliament attack. Afzal Guru’s delay was politics, not justice. Honour Kamlesh Kumari and others. #ConstitutionGarimaDiwas.” @BJP4India tweeted on February 9, 2024: “Afzal Guru’s hanging upheld the law. UPA’s delays put Bharat at risk. Nation first. #NoToTerrorPolitics.”
Afzal Guru and JNU: A Dangerous Sympathy
Afzal Guru’s case became a political drama. Despite his conviction and a Supreme Court ruling, the UPA kept delaying his execution. Petitions came from human rights groups, and some claimed Afzal was a victim, ignoring his own writings praising Osama bin Laden. Prakash Javdekar echoed Advani: “Hang him; the nation comes first.”
In 2016, JNU students, led by Kanhaiya Kumar, protested Afzal’s hanging, chanting, “Afzal, we are sorry.” Kumar later ran for elections in Bihar with CPI and in Delhi with Congress, but voters rejected him. As Sadhguru says, “The Nation is not just land-it is the people. Transform them, and we’ll have a great Nation.” Bihar’s people, and Delhi’s, showed they value Bharat above such politics.
The 2008 Mumbai 26/11 attacks, where LeT killed 166 people, showed UPA’s weakness again. Despite proof of Pakistan’s role, the response was mild. Compare this to Modi’s 2019 Balakot strikes after the Pulwama attack, where 40 CRPF jawans died. That swift action sent a clear message-no mercy for terrorists.
The 2025 Pahalgam attack, where 26 tourists were killed by The Resistance Front, an LeT offshoot, shows the threat remains. Traces lead back to Pakistan. On X, @InsightGL tweeted on April 23, 2025: “Pahalgam attack: Pakistan’s proxy war goes on. Time to crush terror networks. #BharatStrikesBack.”
A Call to Protect Bharat’s Soul
The misuse of terrorism has cost Bharat dearly-30,000 lives in Punjab, countless graves in Kashmir, and the heroes of Parliament and 26/11. Tagore warned, “Neither vague globalism nor blind nation-worship is the answer.” True patriotism means justice, not excuses for those who support terror. The UPA’s lows-delaying Afzal’s hanging, sending Malik to meet Saeed-stand against the BJP’s resolve. Scrapping Article 370 in 2019 cut terror incidents by 90%. Modi’s belief-“Country first, no terrorist spared”-
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