No parallels between Norway massacre and Hindutva

Breivik's act of killing innocents is reprehensible in strongest possible words. But the attempts to link it to Hindutva movement are also equally reprehensible, says Ram Madhav.

What is interesting about the Norwegian who murdered scores in cold blood in the name of some ideology is described by a large section of the European media as a 'Christian Fundamentalist'. Which, of course, he is.

His so-called manifesto refers repeatedly to a medieval movement called 'Knights Templar'. Anders Behring Breivik, the mass murderer, believed that there would be a 21st century version of the Knights Templar to save Europe from being run over by Muslims.

Knights Templar was an armed Christian movement created in 12th century by Christian fundamentalists with blessings and support from the Catholic church. It waged number of battles with Muslims of the times and had a bloody history.

Ram Madhav is a member of the national executive of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

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While the media in Europe rightfully highlight this aspect of Breivik's ideological background, some in India found it appropriate to link him to the Hindutva movement.

In his 1,500-page so-called 'manifesto', Breivik does refer to India, and according to the media reports in more than 100 pages.

He does mention about some books authored by Indians. He also makes several other observations -- some history related and some about the contemporary political situation in India.

But to insinuate that Breivik was inspired by the Hindutva propaganda is misleading and motivated.

Breivik's act of killing innocents is reprehensible in strongest possible words. But the attempts to link it to Hindutva movement are also equally reprehensible. For, ideologically speaking, his views are more akin to hordes of conservative writers and thinkers of both sides of the Atlantic.

Each one of them has condemned his act of mass murder, so did many conservative thinkers. The duplicity of our ignoramuses is conspicuous in their attempt to blame the Hindutva movement for Breivik's despicable act but their complete silence on his core Christian fundamentalist ideas.

Also, this 'guilt by association' theory (there is no association, except some references from writings) is peddled out by these people selectively. Breivik was also an admirer of the 'Tea Party' of Sarah Palin and of course his role models include Russian President Vladimir Putin. Are they to blame for his acts?

It is important to note that this attitude of contempt and condescension of the Left-Liberal cabal is what is responsible for such heinous happenings.

Issues that the conservatives raise, which today capture the imagination of a large section of the Europeans -- thinkers and commoners alike, are dismissed and derided by these worthies rather than discussed and debated honourably.

In fact the conservative writers, who are the biggest losers of Breivik's horror, have been repeatedly warning the West about this impending disaster.

Breivik's gory act should be condemned by everybody. But that is not enough. It is time we sit up and discuss the issues like multiculturalism, immigration, problem of Islam's assimilation with liberal democracies, etc. without any malice.

By refusing to do that and by indulging in witch-hunting we would only be inviting many more such tragedies.

Tail Piece: For this horrendous crime of killing around 80 people Breivik can get a sentence of just 21 years in jail.

Norway, under the influence of the liberalist campaign, banished the death penalty. It is now interesting to see what these so-called champions of human rights would say when it comes to punishing Breivik.