An attack on heritage, history and identity! What exactly is the concept of ‘cultural terrorism’?

In recent times, the term “cultural terrorism” has been in the news. Terrorism is when images of violence, bombings or war appear before our eyes. However, a deliberate attack on a society’s culture, history, traditions, beliefs, language and collective identity can also be a form of terrorism. This is called cultural terrorism.

Culture is the way of life of a society. It includes the language, religion, tradition, art, literature, music, education, knowledge system and historical memory of that society. All these things form the identity of a community. When this identity is systematically attacked, cultural terrorism is born.

Mahabharat Katha: A Saga of Ego, Humiliation and Revenge; The story of Dronacharya and Drupada’s friendship and enmity

The main objective of cultural terrorism is to demoralize a society, create inferiority complex about its history and challenge its cultural existence itself. Therefore, destruction of heritage sites, attacks on religious places, distortion of history, devaluing of cultural symbols, suppression of languages ​​and interference in education system are considered as its major forms.

On a global scale, the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddha statues by the Taliban in Afghanistan or the attacks on cultural heritage during the war in Europe are prominent examples. These incidents not only destroyed the structures, but also affected the historical memory of those societies.

In the Indian context, examples of cultural terrorism include foreign invasions, destruction of temples, destruction of universities and libraries, colonial pedagogies and the writing of history from a particular point of view. Be it the destruction of Nalanda University or the decline of local knowledge traditions, these events had a profound impact on Indian cultural heritage.

Why black beads are included in Mangalsutra? Know the religious and traditional reasons behind it

Even in today’s digital age, cultural terrorism appears in new forms. Films, web series, media and social media can lead to wrong images, prejudices and devaluing of cultural values. Therefore, this subject is not only limited to history, but is equally important in the present.

Overall, cultural terrorism is a serious blow to a society’s existence, self-esteem and collective memory. To prevent it, the study of one’s own culture, a medical understanding of history and a conscious pride in cultural heritage are essential.