Anti Terrorism Day

Held on : 21st May

Terrorism can be defined as 'The calculated use of violence or the threat of violence, against civilians in order to attain goals that are political, religious or ideological in nature. Terrorism is put into practice through intimidation, coercion or instilling fear. The modern world is plagued by Terrorism and it has always been a threat to world peace. Some of the countries which are increasingly affected by Terrorism includes India. India has various militant groups which are spreading terror. Some of these groups are - United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) etc. Amongst these was LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) which had caused a lot of unrest and violence in Sri Lanka. It was also LTTE which assassinated Rajiv Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India during the month of May in 1991. The death anniversary of Late Rajiv Gandhi is observed as Anti-Terrorism Day. The day highlights and raises awareness about the danger of Terrorism and its dangerous effects on the people, the society and the country as a whole. It is a day to open the eyes the youth, especially those who are involved in Terrorism to abstain from it as there are noble causes to be pursued and that the result of Terrorism in the form of sacrificing one's life is a lost cause.

History

India had signed an accord with Sri Lanka in 1987. It was known as the 'Indo Sri Lankan Accord' and it's mission was to put an end to the violent acts of LTTE in Sri Lanka. The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was sent to Sri Lanka with the intention of restoring peace. Many Indian soldiers and LTTE rebels were killed. The IPKF mission didn't achieve much success. But Rajiv Gandhi always supported a solution to the conflict between Sri Lanka and LTTE which was unacceptable to the LTTE. With the change in government, the IPKF was withdrawn in 1990. 1991 was election time in India and the LTTE, viewed the return of Rajiv Gandhi to power in India as a severe impediment in the creation of a a separate nation of Eelam. The LTTE chief Prabhakaran also had a personal animosity towards Rajiv Gandhi for his involvement in Sri Lanka. LTTE planned the assassination on the occasion of Rajiv Gandhi's arrival at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, which was a part of his political campaign.

On 21st May, Rajiv Gandhi was campaigning for the Sriperumbudur Lok Sabha Congress candidate, Mrs Maragatham Chandrasekhar in Tamil Nadu. He was accompanied by by many well wishers, Congress party workers and school children. At 10:10 p.m., the assassin Dhanu (Thenmozhi Rajaratnam, a female member of LTTE) approached him and greeted the former Prime Minister. She then bent down to touch his feet and detonated an RDX explosive laden belt tucked below her dress. The former Prime Minister along with many others were killed in the explosion that followed. The assassination was caught on film through the lens of a local photographer, whose camera and film was found at the site. The cameraman himself also died in the blast. The site was later converted into Rajiv Gandhi Memorial.

Events

• Political leaders, Congress party members and relatives pay homage through floral tributes to the late leader at 'Veer Bhumi', the memorial of Gandhi.

• Wreath laying events are organised at Rajiv Gandhi's statue all over India.

• India observes two minutes of silence to mark solidarity with the world in its fight against Terrorism and mourn for those who died in devastating terrorist strikes especially the one that took away Rajiv Gandhi.

• Thousands of school children observe the two-minute silence to mourn the dead and mark Anti-Terrorism Day.

• Voluntary organizations, social and cultural bodies organize their own programmes through lectures, talks, discussions, musical and recitation programmes and cultural functions etc.

• Mass education programmes are held to highlight the ill effects of violence and terrorism. Anti-terrorism/anti-violence pledge are also taken in all government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions.

Alternate Name - Indian Anti-Terrorism Day.

Holiday Status - It is not a Holiday.