Famous People Who Are Vegans

Militants Vs Terrorists

A militant is someone who is not afraid to use verbal or physical violence to further a cause. Militants have been closely associated with extremism due to the fact that they are closely linked with violent activities. A number of organizations and people self-identify as militant, with the goal of projecting a very characteristic image of them. Just like “military,” the word “militant” comes from a Latin word which means “to serve as a soldier,” but militants are not directly associated with a particular military, and they often work alone or in small groups. Many view themselves as martyrs for a cause, willing to go to great lengths to achieve a desired goal, whether it is the liberation of a nation. One’s stance on militants tends to vary, depending on who the militants are and what cause they are supporting.

Although we may link the concept of militancy with armed ruffians agitating for social and political change, we may also have heard it used in rhetoric simply to refer to someone with very strong and clearly stated views. These militants may or may not actively engage in physical violence, but they are certainly very aggressive verbally, sometimes alienating other people in their movement, and many do justify acts of violence with rhetoric from their causes, even if they do not personally engage in violence. Militant activists are often a source of frustration for people who agree with their cause but do not support extremism, because radical activists can give an entire movement a bad name.

In the sense of someone who does engage in violence, a militant typically has at least some training with weapons and in military tactics, although the degree of skills varies. Militants are often led by charismatic leaders who demand absolute loyalty and cohesiveness in their groups, and they can be found in a wide variety of locations. In some cases, militants are actively supported as they attempt to overthrow governments or enact regime change, because other governments believe that their cause is worthy, while in other instances, militants are treated as terrorists who undermine safety and security.

Some militants have become famous as icons for their causes, and sometimes as martyrs as well. For people who do not come from cultures with a long-established militant tradition, the idea of becoming a militant may seem a bit odd, but for people with a history of cultural oppression and frustration, many militants are glorified, because they are perceived as heroes. Terrorist is a word that sends chills up the spines of most people. The term is pejorative. It is an insult of the highest degree. Calling someone’s actions “terrorism” and the person a terrorist by extension, is as serious a charge that can be laid against someone in this day and age. It has the same connotation as “child molester” or “baby killer.” A terrorist has done something that is to terrorize, frighten, harass and otherwise molest innocent people.

The intent is usually the intention to calling someone a terrorist. A murderer certainly strikes fear into the hearts of his or her victims with the intent of causing fear and terror. However, serial killers do their horrible acts for selfish gratification. Almost without exception, a terrorist feels that he or she is working for some higher aim. Many people associate terrorists almost exclusively with religious fanaticism, but this is not an accurate picture. Terrorists do what they do from motivation which may be religious, political, a mix of the two, or neither. One of the perplexing things about a terrorist is that many people would agree with many of their aims in principle. Most people want religious freedom, honesty in politics, environmental accountability, and ethical treatment for animals. All are laudable goals, until innocent people are terrorized in the process of promoting the agenda.

Of course, to Americans, the terrorist attack of 11 September 2001 is the most visible definition of terrorism and what a terrorist is. However, in Northern Ireland, the scars from years of terrorism by the IRA and the Protestant paramilitary branches are still visible. What of the 2005 attack on the London Underground? Or decades of terrorist actions on both sides of the conflict in Israel and Palestine? Regardless of the cause, when that cause becomes violent, it is terrorism and its participants are terrorists. They strongly feel the ends justify their means. A burning example of terrorism and terrorists has been watched helplessly by the entire world in the recent attacks in Mumbai, India.

A terrorist may be perfectly sincere in his or her beliefs. He or she may be convinced of the rightness of their actions. However, modern humanity agrees that actions calculated to produce terror, simply to make a point or further an agenda, constitute terrorism. A terrorist often does not think of himself as such. He may call himself a rebel, a freedom-fighter, a soldier of justice, etc. He/ she might even be insulted that someone would think of him/her as a terrorist. But if he or she deliberately engages in actions designed to harm or kill innocent people that destroy property, that rob blameless people of their right to a peaceful everyday existence, that person is a terrorist.

About the Author

Dr. Badruddin Khan teaches Chemistry in the University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.

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