‘Social basis of terrorism should be addressed’: says Arundhati Roy in Karachi

[Naveed Yaseen]

Renowned Indian novelist and social activist, Arundhati Roy has said that terrorism cannot be eliminated through arms and weapons, and the social basis of terrorism needed to be addressed.

Addressing the ‘Meet the Press’ at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Friday, Roy said: “If terrorism could be eliminated through arms or supremacy, we would have been freed from terrorism today.” According to Roy, the Taliban had not only surrounded Pakistan but the entire world was now threatened by them, adding that terrorism had afflicted all countries in South Asia. She emphasised the need for analysing and focusing on the root causes of Talibanisation, and said that first and foremost task was to ascertain who was supporting the Taliban.

Roy said that any war that breaks out in future would take place on the issue of water, pointing out that both India and Pakistan had spent millions of dollars at Siachen Glaciers. Answering a question about the presence of extremists in the Indian army and the government sector, Roy said that the presence of extreme elements in the army and government could not be ignored since both were created from the people of the same society.

“An individual resorts to taking up weapons only when he does not get justice in society,” she said.

“When a woman initiates a war, it is not for herself but ultimately for her children, her family and to end the injustice that prevails in a society.”

Speaking about the role of Indian and Pakistan’s media, she said that the media in both countries were exaggerating issues. “The media should play a positive role that would strengthen relations between the two governments and their people,” she emphasised.

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