The Hindu : National : George Bush should visit Malegaon, says Deve Gowda

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Saturday, Sep 16, 2006
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George Bush should visit Malegaon, says Deve Gowda

Special Correspondent

"India should not be guided by Western perception"

NEW DELHI: The former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president H. D. Deve Gowda said on Friday India's approach to terrorism should not be guided by any Western line.

In a statement issued after his visit to Malegaon, he said: "I personally believe that the concept of Islamic or Jehadi terrorism being bandied about by the Bush administration and its allies is fuelling terrorism."

Stating that leaders like U.S. President George Bush should visit Malegaon to see for themselves how Muslims are as much victims of terrorism as anyone else, Mr. Gowda noted that terrorism does not have any religion and the answer to this global scourge does not lie in waging a war against followers of any particular religion.

"Every religion has its liberal and fanatic following and targeting one faith alone will only serve to strengthen the cause of the hardliners."

According to Mr. Gowda, this is not the time to indulge in petty politics and blame game. Crediting the people of Malegaon for their resilience in the face of "grave provocation," he said: "The culprits behind these gruesome attacks, irrespective of their religious and political affiliation, should be tracked down, brought to book and sternly dealt with so that a strong message is sent out that the perpetrators of such crimes against humanity who want to tear apart our social fabric will not be spared at any cost."

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