"As responsible citizens, we unreservedly and unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism as a crime against humanity and hold no brief for the terrorists, whatever their religion or motives

If, indeed, some Muslim youth have taken the terrorist path we remind them that Islam does not permit violence against the life, honour and property of innocent persons, that terrorism or violence cannot solve any problem, that violence only aggravates social tensions and gives rise to an ever-expanding spiral of mutual confrontation.

We, however, find that press reports as well as official statements at the highest level have linked the recent bomb blasts in various parts of the country with the ISI and the police authorities have released the names and even photographs of alleged culprits which are Muslim names. Together they convey the impression as if the Muslim Indians are permitting themselves to be used by the ISI for disruptive, subversive and terrorist activities in India.

We feel that such premature publicity has a negative and vicious impact on the mass mind and the social environment; it may exacerbate communal tension and add to the burden of distrust and suspicion that the Muslim Indians bear.

We, therefore, request the authorities to be cautious in their statements and name the alleged culprits only after a prime facie case has been established on interrogation and investigation and when it is decided to prosecute them.

As for the role of a foreign agency, we request the government to take the people into confidence and pursue such allegations to their logical conclusions.

We also submit that the nation and the community owe it to themselves also to study in depth the causes, circumstances and factors which transform normal youth into terrorists and even into foreign agents and make them commit acts of senseless violence, and to take remedial measures before frustration turns into psychosis.

Syed Shahabuddin                Saiyid Hamid                        Shafi Moonis                                                           

National Convener,                 President                                 Gen. Secretary, AIMMM

Insaf Morcha,                         Association for Promoting

                                                Education & Employment

of Muslim Youth