India Abroad - August 5, 2011

NORWAY CARNAGE / COLLATERAL DAMAGE
‘Reprehensible
to link Breivik’s
act to Hindutva’
It is interesting that the Norwegian who mur- dered scores in cold
blood in the name of some
ideology, is being described
by a large section of the
European media as a
Christian fundamentalist.

RAM
MADHAV
Breivik’s act of killing
innocent people is repre-
hensible in the strongest
possible words. And the
attempts to link it to the
Hindutva movement are
equally reprehensible.
Ideologically speaking, his
views are akin to hordes of
conservative writers and
thinkers on both sides of
Muslims.

the Atlantic.
In fact, he profusely quotes from the writings of
respected conservative writers. His ideological posi-
tion on issues like immigration and multicultural-
ism is no different from that of British
Prime Minister David Cameroon or
German Chancellor Angela Merkel or
French President Nicholas Sarkozy.
Each of them has condemned his
act, so did many conservative
thinkers. The duplicity of some think-
ers is conspicuous in their attempt to
blame the Hindutva movement for
Breivik’s despicable act, but their
complete silence on his core Christian
fundamentalist ideas.
The guilt-by-association theory
(there is no association, except some
references from writings) is peddled
out by these people selectively.
Breivik was also an admirer of Sarah
Palin’s Tea Party and his role models
include Russian Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin. Are they to blame for
his acts?
It is important to note that this atti-
tude of contempt and condescension
of the left-liberal cabal is what is
responsible for such heinous happen-
ings.
Issues that the conservatives raise,
which today capture the imagination
of a large section of the Europeans,
are dismissed and derided by liberals,
rather than being discussed and
debated honorably.
Conservative writers, who are the
biggest losers of Breivik’s horror, have
been repeatedly warning the West about this
impending disaster.
Breivik’s gory act should be condemned by every-
body. But that is not enough. It is time we sit up and
discuss issues like multiculturalism, immigration,
problem of Islam’s assimilation with liberal democ-
racies, etc without any malice.
By refusing to do that and by indulging in a witch-
hunt, we are inviting many more such tragedies.
A Norwegian policeman at he blast site in Oslo
WOLFGANG RAT TAY/REU TERS

Ram Madhav is a member of the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh national executive
The skull and sword insignia on Breivik’s arm was designed by a Varanasi weaver
‘Norway order was a bad omen’ ANDRE W BERWICK VIA W WW. FREAK. NO/HANDOU T/REUTERS

Mohammad Aslam Ansari, who designed
mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik’s
badge, tells Sharat Pradhan
The terror attack in Norway that claimed 76 lives has a remote link with the temple town of Varanasi in India. Mohammad Aslam Ansari, a weaver from the city, embroidered the badge, bearing
the logo of the mass murderer Anders Breivik.
“Yes, the order for preparing two samples was received on my e-mail
account nearly 11 months ago,” Ansari told India Abroad.
He runs his traditional family business of weaving brocade silk saris
under the banner of the Indian Art Company.
“The order came in response to an advertisement I had posted online,
in an attempt to expand my base and rise above my humble means. But
the whole exercise was very disappointing as other than the two samples
ordered by the Norwegian client, I received no other order,” rued Ansari.
He added, “I did receive nearly $226 (for the insignia). We can’t afford
to provide samples without receiving advance payment because the raw
material requires money.”
Ansari was not particularly intrigued by the unusual order, demand-
ing an insignia of a skull with a dagger passing through it, as he is used
to making similar badges for sports and defense organizations.
“I got it embroidered in both brocade and in silk as per the terms of
the order and couriered it to Norway, without having the remotest idea
of what it was intended for,” he added.
“My father wanted to explore business avenues beyond geographical
boundaries and this made him opt for an Internet connection. It came
in handy for me while learning many new things, but it failed to help us.
Even our (Internet) connection was snapped due to non-payment,”
Danish, Ansari’s teenaged son, said.
“The Norway order was a bad omen,” Ansari added.

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