THERE IS the story of Meerabai’s elder sister who was of marriageable age. Her father and brother were on the lookout for a suitable match. By coincidence, both fixed her marriage with suitable princes. They were, however, unable to inform each other about it. So, they returned home and the two marriage parties followed.

Learning abut the confusion on arrival, both the Rajput groups decided to settle the matter by a fight. The father felt sorry and decided to end the stalemate by asking his daughter to drink poison and avoid bloodshed. She complied with his request and the princes went back safe.

What this story teaches us is that a person can be persuaded to even give up his/her life if the cause is convincing enough. This is what terrorist groups achieve. They convince foot soldiers of the absolute genuineness of their grievances, as also the fact that they are left with no other choice to get the perpetrators.

And, how do they convince ? By the use of religion, of course. All scriptures concur with what the Bhagavad-Geeta states, “That knowledge by which one undivided spiritual nature is seen in all living entities, though they are divided into innumerable forms, you should understand that to be in goodness”. When countries arrogate for themselves the superiority of their race, religion or strength of military might and economic clout, one has the perfect argument to convince the gullible, even to give up his life.

If they want to curb terrorism, people and countries have to give up their superiority complex. Till then masterminds of terrorism will continue to wreck havoc with the help of willing suicide bombers.