India under threat from religious fanaticism, says SC in Mumbai blasts case

Dealing with the issue of rise in terrorism globally, a bench of justices P Sathasivam and B S Chauhan said India has been a "victim" of terror attacks and stressed that it cannot be curbed unless everyone puts in sincere efforts.

"Another trend common to both national and international terrorism is the emergence of terrorist groups motivated by religious fanaticism. Whenever the perpetrators are motivated by religious fanaticism or had secular goals and beliefs, they become susceptible to the idea of sacrificing their own life for carrying out the will of God, or Allah or in waging a 'holy war'.

"It is important to note here that terrorism is abhorred and condemned by all the religions of the world. Terrorists conduct planned and coordinated attacks targeting innocent civilians with a view to infuse terror in the minds of people.

India, particularly, has been a victim on several occasions," the bench said.

Giving details of the terror strikes across the country since the Mumbai 1993 serial blasts, it said, "India being a secular State, such religious fanaticism which resulted in such terrorist acts should not be allowed to destroy the very basic structure of our Constitution. Unless every one of us put our sincere efforts to fight terrorism, we will not be able to curb this menace."

The bench said "better

... contd.