Linking Intellectual Inputs

Post-9/11, two words, namely Jihad and Terrorism, have acquired much of our attention. These terms unintentionally as well as intentionally are used interchangeably, often, to indicate that Islam and terrorism share an organic relationship. The book under review, on the face of it, seems to defy this generic discussion and claims to ‘attempt to construct the epistemology of Terrorism through a historical analysis of ninety years of India’. The first paragraph of the blurb of the book declares, ‘The term jihad has nothing to do with “terror” in Islam. Jihad in Islam is simply an honest, pious, and sincere effort. Here the expression “Jihadi Terrorism” is a borrowed one, from what is popularly meant to address a contemporary problem.’ However, as soon as you start reading the book, you are encountered with altogether contradictory arguments, which essentially try to ‘historically’ validate and reinforce phrases like ‘all Muslims are not terrorists but all terrorists are Muslim’. The book is as good as propaganda literature that is published by some Hindutva outfit, as, while reading the book at times, you are unable to comprehend whether you are reading the work of an academician or articles in the journals like the Jan Sangh Samachar, Panchjanya/The Organiser.