Commenting on Pakistan's response after the Mumbai attacks:
I rejected a soft approach earlier because I know the face of terrorism. I know the motiveless malignity behind the terror. The dossier was given to the world and Pakistan on January 5. We are today on January 20. Just go back to their position on January 5 and look at their position today. In 15 days, the Pakistan government has been obliged to change its position several times and has finally admitted today that it is in the process of investigating the leads given to it. I know that they have detained a number of people. I know they have dismantled a couple of structures. I know they have restrained a number of people. I know they have begun some kind of investigation. But they have done nothing yet that can be called satisfactory. But given their position on January 4 and given their position today, I think there is a significant movement forward. I keep my fingers crossed. We’ll have to wait and see and we should be prepared for any eventuality.
Commenting on his priorities as home minister to combat terror:
There are two objectives. First is to raise the level of preparedness of the security forces and the second is to respond swiftly and with determination to any terror threat or an attack. I hoped to accomplish quite a bit in the 150 days that I had when I took over on December 1. Fifty days are over today and I have another 100 days to go. I hope at the end of these 150 days you would be able to say that I have accomplished quite a bit on these two objectives. A lot of things need to change within the government. Equally very important is the change in attitude that needs to come among citizens. Terror, as we know in 21st century, cannot be defeated with uttering words of peace or love or goodwill. This terror is mindless terror. This terror is motiveless terror. This terror can only be defeated by a strong and determined effort. Dalai Lama last week said when asked how he would deal with terror. He said this terror cannot be defeated by non-violence. That is a sad conclusion but that’s the right conclusion. It can only be defeated by determined action.
Commenting on negotiations with terrorists with reference to the IC814 episode:
I don’t know how I would have reacted if 150 families came to my door and pleaded that their loved ones in the aircraft must be saved. It is easy to criticise but one in that position knows it is a very difficult position. While I think that the principle is wholesome, I am not sure whether it can be applied in all situations.
Commenting on Ajmal Kasab and soft approach:
Nine out of 10 terrorists behind the Mumbai attacks were killed in the operations and one was captured. In fact, one was captured after Mr Omble made the supreme sacrifice. He took five bullets on his chest so that his colleagues could overpower Ajmal Kasab. It is our duty as a civilised society to try him according to the law. He will be tried in a court of law. Evidence will be provided. I am confident we will secure justice. That’s the only way a civilised society should act. We are a civilised society and I urge you respectfully, always remain a civilised society and try the worst criminal as per the law. As far as taking action… action is taken every day on the border, the BSF stops infiltrators and sometimes kills them. In Assam, police have swung into action against insurgents. In Chhattisgarh, police is fighting the Naxalites and has regained 40 per cent of the area. In Kashmir, as against enormous loss of life in 2002, in the 2008 elections, seven civilians were killed and six security personnel lost their lives during the period. These were 13 precious lives but compare it to 300 in 2002…. In 2008, our security forces had stopped terrorism and ensured free elections. Our police and the army are fighting our battle in plains, hills, borders of India and we should remember this when we wake up in the morning till the time we go to sleep.
Excerpts from Union Home Minister P Chidambaram's speech at a function to honour the NDTV Indian of the Year-2008 on January 21, 2009
