Anti-Terrorism Day

 It is observed every year on May 21 with the aim of weaning the youth from terrorism and the cult of violence by focusing on the sufferings of common people. To achieve the above objectives, several anti-terrorism programmes and drives have been organised by the government.

Anti-Terrorism Day is observed on May 21 every year with the objective of promoting national harmony, mitigating terrorism, and unity among people of all castes, creeds, etc The day also raises awareness about the violence perpetrated by terrorists and provides knowledge to the youth about terrorism and its impact on human suffering and lives. Also, make them aware of an anti-social act of terrorism. On May 21, 1991, the official announcement was made following the assassination of India's former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He was killed in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, during a terrorist operation by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

ANTI-TERRORISM DAY: SIGNIFICANCE

The fabric of a nation has security as one of the primary shades. And terrorism tends to challenge its existence, trying to fade it off the fabric. Anti-Terrorism Day holds utmost significance to maintain peace, humanity, harmony, and unity among the people and the society. On this day, the suffering of those who were the victims of terrorism are highlighted with efforts to influence minds through sympathy and compassion.

This year, the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to hold the ‘pledge taking ceremony’ on Friday, May 20 since this year, May 21 is falling on a Saturday, which is a closed holiday for central government employees. On this day, Central Government employees take pledge against terrorism.

The pledge goes, “We, the people of India, having abiding faith in our country’s tradition of non-violence and tolerance, hereby solemnly affirm to oppose with our strength, all forms of terrorism and violence. We pledge to uphold and promote peace, social harmony, and understanding among all fellow human beings and fight the forces of disruption threatening human lives and values.”

Terrorism in India, can be broadly categorised in three distinct parts:

• Cross border terrorism in J&K.
• Terrorism in the hinterland.
• Extreme violence and terrorism as an integral part of the ongoing insurgencies.

India has experienced almost all forms of terrorist attacks:

• hijacking and blowing up of aircrafts
• sabotaging railway tracks
• kidnapping hostages for meeting political demands
• suicide attacks
• the assassination of two of its Prime Ministers
• attacks on places of worship, transportation systems, security forces and financial hubs
• communal riots followed by extreme violence
• attacks both by religious and non-religious terrorist groups.