Use of violence as instrument of protest big challenge: HM

New Delhi, Sep 10 (PTI) Indian Home Minister P
Chidambaram on Saturday said the use of violence as an
instrument of protest was the biggest challenge before the
country.
While the old evils such as communalism, casteism and
parochialism remain, there are new challenges as well, he said
in his address at the National Integration Council meeting
here.
"The biggest challenge is the use of violence as an
instrument of protest or an instrument of change. Insurgency,
militancy and terrorism threaten to unravel the idea of
India," he said.
The Home Minister said it was natural to focus on
violent attacks of terrorist groups but attention must be
given to the violence unleashed by ideologically-driven Left
wing extremists and recalcitrant separatist groups in
north-eastern states.
While referring to the agenda being discussed at the
meeting, Chidambaram said each one of the four agenda items
has the same underlying theme - violence which threatens to
destroy the foundation of our national life.
The issues being discussed at the NIC meeting include
communal violence a visible example of primeval attitudes of
groups that seek to dominate or subjugate other groups and
discrimination against minorities.
The other issues being discussed at the meeting include
radicalisation of youth in the name of religion and that caste
emboldens them to take to the path of violence.
"I would like to ask this Council to guide us on how to
deal with the issues that are included in the agenda. In
particular, I would like to ask you whether the institutions
that we have - of both government and civil society - are
adequate to meet these grave challenges and, if they are not,
how do we strengthen these institutions or set up new
institutions," Chidambaram said.