Abstract:
Militant weaponization of life is a complex area of study. In modern psycho-political warfare the
suicide bomber has been one of the most potent weapons of the LTTE, since the first suicide attack on
5th July 1989. In common public discourse, the suicide bomber is often perceived as the “other”, a
menacing threat to society who is “morally culpable of great crimes, thus less than human and
deserving of punishment”. Therefore, this paper attempts to identify the majoritarian discourse, which
dehumanizes the female suicide bomber, and analyzes how “masking” allows her to survive the
‘hostile powers’ that control her.
Masking in postcolonial discourse, as viewed by Elaine Savory, is a series of “codes signifying
multiple levels of personality, indicated by ritual ways… in which gods can temporarily occupy the
physical plane of human existence, thereby heightening and solemnifying the ordinary human
decisions…. (or) a code for disguise, deceit, (and) retreat from self exposure….” Especially mask’s
effectiveness as protective and subversive strategy in politically dangerous contexts is foregrounded
in this respect. Thus, the cold blooded inhuman characteristics of the suicide bomber can be read in
terms of camouflage.
First, one can observe Urmila donned with a mask of courage and defiance, because as the time for
the mission dawns she shows signs of weakness; wanting to make more human and physical contact
with Raman, her handler. However, while the sudden sexual urge she develops towards Raman
heightens her “sensuality”, her lack of self constraint projects her as being “uncivilized/ savage”. The
complexity of Urmila’s character is heightened as she subverts gender politics and ‘femininity’; also
she draws divine inspiration from the Hindu goddess Kali.
Although Urmila doesn’t fall short of being “human” her final action is far from being dialectical.
Nevertheless, the catharsis that is provoked in the spectators can only be considered by viewing the
masking process as “a series of codes signifying multiple levels of personality” as opposed to being
viewed as disguise or deceit.
