The editor of Loksatta was right when he said, during “The Big Mumbai Debate” on CNN-IBN, that the citizens of Mumbai go to war everyday.
Every time I walk past the security at Vashi station, board the train, look for suspicious packages on the luggage racks (why don’t they do away with those stupid racks anyway?), I wonder where the next target will be, and if I’ll reach home and see my little girl again.
The celebrated spirit of Mumbaikars is taking a beating, sinking lower and lower every day. Just now there was another bomb scare at Dadar station and several local trains were stopped.
But here’s what makes me really angry:
1. I have no faith left in the Mumbai police. As the panel of speakers on CNN-IBN said, and the police chief himself glumly admitted, continual interference in police matters by politicians has completely demoralised the Mumbai police. No one even wants to be posted to Mumbai.
What action can a demoralised and ineffectual police force take against terrorists? Days after the blasts, and there’s still no clue about who did it. It’s no wonder that Mumbaikars like me have lost all faith in the police.
2. Narendra Damodardas Modi in Mumbai. This man who sat by like the proverbial Nero, while the state of Gujarat burned, was responsible for the anti-Muslim pogrom during the riots in Gujarat in 2002.
And today he visited Mumbai, ostensibly to “talk on terrorism,” but more likely to spread his agenda of hate. The Maharastra government warned him to “watch his words“, but why allow him here in the first place?
“Go back Modi! The last thing our bruised city needs now is a riot,” said the headline of today’s Mid-Day. And I quote here from the editorial:
We don’t want you here. We don’t like your mug on posters that blabber about fighting terrorism, when really, all you want to do is the routine you did after Godhra. Our city is tense and angry enough without that act.
We don’t want you here. We don’t want a riot. Do you hear us?
You want division and hatred transmitted through the wireless acoustics of Mumbai. But you know what, we don’t want to hear it.
A million people who are reading this are probably travelling on trains, Mr Modi. Trains very much like the ones blown up last Tuesday. They are on their way to work. Or going back home.
Don’t try and turn Bombay into Baroda. Here, Best bakeries are simply places that bake the best breads. We want it to stay that way.
Do you hear us?
It isn’t that we are in love with those who currently govern us.
Our chief minister would like to live in Shanghai € and a lot of people in the city think he should.
Our home minister busied himself trying to shut dance bars as terrorist sleeper modules woke up and planned this thing.
But Mumbai, if not its politicians, is committed to getting the people who took the lives of our fellow travellers.
We are also committed to fighting for a more secure future. And we are intent on delivering this message € our way, not yours € to the people who govern.
Despite the simmering anger, city netas across the spectrum€and even the fringe that you belong to € have shown a restraint that is necessary at this time.
‘Restraint’, Mr Modi. Look it up in the dictionary.
It could still turn out okay. We’re optimistic enough to believe that you will come and go and nothing will happen. We know, from your illustrious career, that you will do your best to ensure something does. Thing is, Mr Modi, the Mumbai spirit doesn’t need Modifications. So why not spare us all this bother and take the first flight back?
Do you hear us?
3. People who talk of “retaliation” and “genocide” in the same breath. Do they even know what genocide means?
The systematic killing of substantial numbers of people on the basis of ethnicity, religion, political opinion, social status, or other particularity. Acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.
Even though I make a conscious choice to be forgiving and compassionate, I know we must take action to prevent these incidents from occurring, and more important, make authorities accountable for their failure to act.
But talking of genocide is taking it too far. That’s the speciality of people like Modi, Hitler and Bush.
Do we need the deaths of more innocents (which is exactly what genocide entails) on our collective conscience? Does murder justify mass murder? Wasn’t Gujarat enough?
Since we’re all facing the same enemy, we need to unite, not attack each other. Nowadays it takes just a rumour on SMS or a careless comment to spark a riot.
When even political parties like the Sena have been showing restraint because of the potential consequences, I find it extremely irresponsible of these people to go around spreading more hate.
4. Our PM running to Bush for “help”. Now this is too much! Can’t the World’s Biggest Democracy take care of it’s own? Why do we need to go, with a begging bowl, to the World’s Biggest Terrorist? Here’s how I imagine that would go.
Dr. Singh: Oh Mr. Bush, puhleeese save us from these awful terrorists.
Bush: Sure Manny. Just tell me who’s responsible for these atrocious acts and I’ll have Con-doh-leeza on it right away.
This part of the report had me really riled up:
Though Singh did not raise the issue of Islamabad’s alleged support to terror groups that target India in his opening remarks, he later told Bush that cross-border terrorism was becoming a menace for India.
Becoming a menace for India, Dr. Singh? When is it going to become menace enough for you to speak up and condemn Pakistan in stronger terms for harbouring terrorists? We need action and leadership, Dr. Singh! When are you going to provide it?
But I’ve given up questioning the wisdom of the Indian government. I know that change must come from within - from civil society.
Because we’re the ones who elect the gutless leaders, the corrupt, grasping corporators, more concerned with grabbing power and lining their pockets, than about people like you and me who literally go to war everyday.
We’re the ones who created the problem, and we must be the ones to find a solution.
Not one that creates more bloodshed, but that unites all Indians against terror, violence and the politics of hatred. And demands accountability from the police, politicians and the administration.
I’m serious about making a change. One that takes the interests of all Indians to heart. Are you with me on this? Do comment and let me know.
Also see:
Mumbai Blasts: Trash the spirit. Speak Up
Tain ki dard na aaya (Did You not feel the pain?)
Tags: terrorism, mumbai blasts
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