Terrorism and crime are two distinct concepts, with crime being a socially unacceptable behavior that harms individuals or groups, and terrorism being a more complex and ideologically motivated act. Although both are criminal acts, terrorism is much harder to define and universally categorize.
Key Takeaways
- Crime has always been present in societies, while terrorism as an international phenomenon is more recent.
- Dealing with criminals involves trials and sentencing, whereas terrorists often do not plead guilty and have strong motivations for their heinous acts.
- Terrorists are criminals who commit crimes against humanity, while ordinary criminals typically commit crimes for personal gain.
In all societies, there are laws to address crimes and punishments based on the severity of these crimes. However, determining the appropriate punishment for acts of terrorism, which often result in the deaths of numerous individuals, can be challenging. Terrorism is designed to create panic and fear within a society and has become a global issue.
Historically, severe punishments for crimes were often carried out in public to deter others from committing similar acts. This could be seen as a form of state terrorism, but it was accepted as it was meant for the betterment of society. Modern crime and punishment systems are based on a judicial system where criminals plead guilty and are sentenced accordingly. Terrorists, on the other hand, often do not admit guilt and believe their actions are for the benefit of a specific population group.
Terrorism stems from an ideology or belief that motivates individuals to engage in acts of terror, often as a way of voicing grievances. This can make it difficult to distinguish between terrorism and legitimate acts of resistance, as seen in the cases of Sardar Bhagat Singh, the LTTE in Sri Lanka, and various insurgent groups around the world.
The events of 9/11 marked a turning point in the global perception of terrorism, uniting many nations against the threat of terror. Although there have been victories in the ongoing war on terror, acts of violence still occur. However, the killing of Osama Bin Laden by American forces in Pakistan is a signal that the civilized world is making progress in its fight against terrorism, and that there is no place for heinous acts like terrorism in a civilized society. No ideology or belief can justify the killing of innocent people, and no religion allows anyone to engage in such gruesome acts.
