This blog was created with the objective of sharing my startup adventure and to collect my thoughts on the way I’d want to do business. For once, I’d like to deviate from this objective and talk about the recent terror attacks in Mumbai.

As one would expect, these terror attacks have caused a lot of angst amongst the public at large. And there’s been a lot of loud thinking by the intelligentsia in the media. Everyone who has spoken has condemned these attacks. Everyone has said that terrorism has no religion or nationality. Everyone has dubbed the young agents of terror as the face of evil. Everyone believes that we must unite and act as one against terror. There are calls for a firm response to the terrorists. An eye for an eye. Jingoism is in the air. Anti-Pakistan slogans were being shouted out on the streets after the army men finished the operations.

The entire issue has been painted black and white. But I’d like everyone to take a minute and think again. Don’t we know that religious extremism is what is being used as a weapon to convert intelligent young men into terrorists? Don’t we know that these young fidayeen attackers were not born evil and would have had dreams like you and me but lost their way? Don’t we know that this terrorism is a by-product of activities that were state-sponsored at one point in time? Don’t we know that picking up the weapon and going to war can only result in more terrorism rather than end it?

Whether we accept it or not, there are a lot of grey areas and this subject must be looked into objectively. Not for a moment am I trying to suggest anything. I just wish for everyone to think again before joining the popular voice. As shown by our democratic system, the popular voice does not always lead to the right action.