India

Indian-Pakistani Animosity Surrounds Mumbai Attack

On November 26, 2008, a group of terrorists launched a three-day-long attack on Mumbai. More than 170 people were killed in the attacks, which were carried out in various locations across Mumbai by ten terrorists. Fueled by already tense relations between India and Pakistan, India has claimed suspicion of Pakistani involvement in the attacks from the beginning of the investigation. The only terrorist who was captured alive, Ajmal Amin Kamal, has been identified as Pakistani.

Although the state of Pakistan denies any involvement in the attacks, many Indians have been accusing Pakistan. From an identity perspective, India’s eagerness to blame Pakistan for the terrorist attack on Mumbai is rooted in the deep-seated, mutual animosity between Indians and Pakistanis. India and Pakistan are historical enemies; therefore, the “us versus them” mentality has become entrenched in the minds of Indians and Pakistanis alike. An airline worker in Karachi is quoted in The Hindu as saying, “Any time something happens in India, they say Pakistan is behind it, but they do not come up with any proof.” This observation of the quickness of Indians to blame Pakistan for everything demonstrates the deeply ingrained anti-Pakistan identity in India. The Indian media’s response to the attacks espouses this identity: The Hindu titled an article, “Arrested Terrorist Admits to Be a Pakistani,” which is phrased so as to give the impression that revealing oneself to be Pakistani is an admission of guilt.

Identity

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200812030386.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7757871.stm

December 2, 2008 at 11:15 pm