Congress figure Imran Masood has sparked a new political uproar for his reference to the Delhi Red Fort blast perpetrator, Umar Nabi, as a “misguided youth.” His comments, made while responding to an unconscionable incident in which people died because of a suicide bomber, have drawn strong rebuke from the BJP and yet again caused the Congress party both embarrassment and heartburn.
The judgmental comment comes in the wake of a significant attack in which people died, and signs of troubling radicalisation from educated youth in our society.
Masood’s Comments Draw Outrage
While speaking to reporters, Masood stated that Umar Nabi was a MBBS graduate and also claimed he had “taken the wrong path” and was “misguided by extremist factors.” In his comments, he suggested society should be focused on deradicalisation versus hatred.
Of course, Masood’s political opponents could not get to the microphones fast enough. The BJP charged the Congress leader of “sympathising with terrorists” and downplaying the severity of the attack.
BJP spokespersons chastised Masood for giving what they claimed was an “excuse for terrorism.” They warned that sentiments like that demoralise national security and weaken the resolve against extremism.
Congress Confronts Familiar Political Controversy
This is not the first time Imran Masood has embroiled Congress in controversy. Past comments from Masood during previous political seasons have often served as fodder for the BJP to assail Congress.
Congress insiders have acknowledged that Masood’s recent comments were “unnecessary” at a time when the party is attempting to project a more secure, accountable national image. Sources claim senior leaders may try and convince him to tone it down, given the highly sensitive nature of this case.
The blast in Delhi has already forced opposition parties to defend themselves from difficult questions about the archaeology of radicalisation, problems with policing and cross-border links. Masood’s comment has simply added fuel to the fire.
BJP’s Political Temperature Raised
BJP leaders wasted no time launching a full-scale attack. They charged Congress with having a “track record of protecting extremists,” and on Masood’s words representing a “ease approach to national security.”
Some BJP leaders have even demanded a formal apology from the Congress high command, since, they claim, it “hurt the families of the victims” and “emboldened extremists.”
National Discourse on Radicalisation
Experts discuss that more troubling than political bickering is the suggestion above that Umar Nabi’s case represents a wider trend of educated youth being attracted to extremist narratives. The fact that an individual holding a degree in MBBS could go on to be a suicide bomber is no small matter for security services and sociologists.
As political parties trade barbs about what or who is to blame, the bigger question remains: how is radicalisation emerging, and what will steely action will this nation do to avoid another Umar Nabi?
