The latest in the row is a series of bomb blasts in Jaipur, in western India leaving behind 80 dead and more than 200 injured. The high toll of injured appears like a hanging sword over people who fear that it will likely to soar up due to critical condition of people lying in hospitals. The pink city, Jaipur, one of the oldest cities, that dates back 300 years is renowned for the historical sites and one of the popular tourist destinations in India. Known as “The Golden Triangle”, Jaipur is abode to many historical sites, including Hawa Mahal, temples and also Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh state. Rajasthan has always been a pinnacle of just peace, tourism and a legacy of glory it had anyways being 300-year old. The sporadic bomb blasts during shopping hours in those crowded streets has brought havoc for the city where curfew has been imposed now sucking all signs of human life there. Seven bombs went off near the historic monuments like Hawa Mahal and Hanuman temple which is an entrance to Jauhari bazaar. The picture gave a rough and vague clue that these monuments were the targets with an aim to bring damage to human life at the most. Indeed, this was a planned terrorist attack where India like Pakistan tops the list of being victims of terrorism.

In recent memory, a terrorist attack on CRFP camp in Rampur killed eight in January 2008, and before that 2007 is remembered for the worst terrorist attacks in India. Since 2005, around 10 terrorist attacks have hit the country which includes the July 2006 bombing in which again seven bombs rocked the Mumbai trains with a loss of 200 people. In February 2007, two bombs were exploded in train on way from India to Pakistan in which at least 66 people were burnt to death. This time Rajasthan has become the victim of wrath and animosity of terrorists whose identity has yet to be ascertained. In this regard, Pakistan and India remain on back foot and the baggage of mistrust, suspicion and hostility both the countries still carry with themselves. Due to numerous efforts to bring stability and peace between both countries, the response on government level has improved. But still other elements and forces working against the peace agenda hardly miss a chance to fan anti emotions.

The fragility of this peace process becomes so visible whenever any terrorist attack takes place in either country which hampers the efforts to get both countries on the same gauge. One can imagine how the Muslims in Jaipur feeling themselves insecure and waiting when it will bounce back. The extremist forces in India would yearn for punishing them for the sins they never committed. An iota of trust and understanding between India and Pakistan is the root cause where such frightening incidents destabilize the peace process and again hold the other country guilty of the crime. The need is to contemplate that both countries are on same track, victimized by terrorism rather the planners for each other. The forces and seeds of rebellion and terrorism are very much present and seen within the countries and the maturity is to address them on national lever rather to indulge in blame game and get swayed by the opinion built by extremist forces. The pink city does not deserve to be turned into red rather it should maintain its status as pink being the symbol of calm, and peace.

About Sadaf Arshad

Sadaf Arshad has written 12 articles on this journal.

Sadaf Arshad works as the Executive Editor of South Asian Media Monitor at South Asian free Media Association (SAFMA). She has been writing for The Friday Times & The Post. Currently she is Columnist with English Daily Pakistan Today. She holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication and has a deep-rooted interest in subjects like peace and development, security, poverty eradication, economic, gender equality and minority issues.

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