Udaipur: Defence minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday, spoke of the disturbing rise in ‘white-collar terrorism’ in the country and warned that higher education without values can turn dangerous for society.
While speaking at the 104th foundation day of Bhupal Nobles’ University, Singh cited the November 10 car bomb blast near Delhi’s Red Fort and noted how the accused in the attack were qualified doctors.
According to him, this is a stark example of how education alone does not guarantee ethical conduct.
“Today, an alarming trend of white-collar terrorism is emerging in the country. Highly-educated people are working against society and the country. The perpetrators of the (Delhi) bomb blast were doctors – those who had degree in hand and RDX in their pockets. This highlights the need for knowledge to be accompanied by values and character,” the minister said, as reported by India Today.
The explosives-laden i20 Hyundai car was being driven by Dr Umar Un Nabi when it blew up, killing 15 people and injuring many others. This followed the busting of a white-collar terror module spread across several states. Among those arrested were three doctors — Muzammil Ganai, Adeel Rather and Shaheen Saeed.
“The purpose of education is not only professional success but also the development of morality, ethics and human character. Any education system that cannot fulfil this objective, which does not impart humility, a sense of character and ‘dharma’ (righteousness) along with knowledge, is incomplete,” Singh said.
He also said that terrorists are not necessarily illiterate and can hold university degrees, but lack wisdom and values.
“When I talk about religion, it should not be associated with going to the temple, mosque or church for prayer. Religion is a sense of duty. Education devoid of religion and morality will not be useful to society, and sometimes it can even prove fatal. This is why educated people are sometimes found to be involved in crimes,” the defence minister added.
Speaking about India’s economic and technological trajectory, Singh said the country is currently the world’s fourth-largest economy and is on course to become the third-largest by 2030. Universities, he said, have a critical role to play in this journey.
