Editor
India observes National Anti-Terrorism Day on 21 May every year to honor the memory of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who tragically lost his life to terrorism. As the youngest prime minister of India, Gandhi came to power at the age of 40. On 21 May 1991, he was assassinated by a member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at Sriperumbudur, a village near Madras. In response to this heinous act, the government, led by VP Singh at the time, declared 21 May as Anti-Terrorism Day.
This significant day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to eradicate terrorism and foster peace and harmony. It pays homage to Rajiv Gandhi's dedication to the welfare and progress of the nation, tragically cut short by an act of violence.
Rajiv Gandhi's assassination occurred during a rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, where a bomber approached him and triggered an explosion that claimed his life. The LTTE, a militant separatist group fighting for an independent homeland for the Tamils in Sri Lanka's northern and eastern provinces, was responsible for the attack.
In the latest edition of the Global Terrorism Index, India is listed among the 25 countries most affected by terrorism. However, the report also highlights that a majority of the Indian population resides outside the areas directly affected by low-level conflicts. It indicates that war and terrorism were not identified as the primary threats to daily safety by respondents in India, among the 120 nations surveyed.
Globally, the report reveals a 9% decrease in deaths from terrorism, totaling 6,701 in 2022. The number of incidents also declined by nearly 28% from 2021 to 2022, with attacks dropping from 5,463 to 3,955.
Meanwhile, Pakistan remains one of the ten countries most impacted by terrorism, with a significant rise in deaths to 643 in 2022, marking a 120% increase from 2021's figure of 292 deaths.
As India observes National Anti-Terrorism Day, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by terrorism and the importance of unity in combating this global menace.