Not just some random thoughts…
Mumbai
A Tribute
Nov 25th
On the eve of 26/11, A tribute to the victims of terrorism, not just in Mumbai, not just in India, around the world.
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn’t a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out
May their souls Rest In Peace. AMEN.
Terror in Mumbai
Nov 28th
48 hours on, the siege of Mumbai still continues. The terrorists continue to hold the city on gun point. Grenades, Assault riffles, RDX, Plastic explosives, The Taj, Oberoi, CST. These words are running through my mind like a wild fire in the forests of Florida.
They came, they fired and they shocked. Not a city, not a state, not a country but the world. Ofcourse it was an intelligence failure, a major blunder. But the act itself was dastardly, heinous, barbaric. Indiscriminately firing at innocent civilians without any motive or even any sense of what they himself are doing, these so called fidayeens have actually made a impact. The resilient city is no more ready to take it on, Enough is Enough. What happened in Mumbai is embarrassing, considering that the major damage was done in the premier 5 star hotels of the financial capital of the country.
Imagine this, some terrorists coming in from international waters, straight to monumental landmark, a 5 star hotel, a major tourist attraction which are frequented by westeners. Where can it happen? Only in India, i doubt even Somalia will let anyone take control of there territories like this. No its not a failure on the part of Mumbai Police, not by the NSG, not by MARCOS, not by ATS or by any uniformed defence personnel. Its a failure by the government. There were clear reports conveyed by the Army to the centre of the ship when it left the Pakistani territories. But it wasn’t Army’s job, which they did unselfishly. What were the famed RAW and IB doing? What’s the point of having two separate Intelligence agencies for internal and external affairs and yet failing at both avenues?
The reports of terrorists doing the recee of the targets two month before the attacks published now are all but irrelevant. What were they doing then? What was the government doing? The devil in disguise, Narendra Modi, who unfortunately is the Chief Minister of a Indian State, was the first person to politicise the issue, no wonder. He is the person single handedly responsible for all these acts targeted on India because of his permissible, heinous crimes on a certain community which angered the sentiments of that particular community, almost 1/4 population of this world. Inspite of being advised, not to travel to the financial capital during the continuation of operations, he didn’t gave any heed and transcended to make a speech and demanded a briefing from the media. A shame, such a shame, Narendra Modi, a scar on face of India, a scar on face on Gujarat.
But some people need a praise here although not completely. Mr. Advani was the first person to address the media after the attacks broke out and he clearly said, its not time to point fingers, its time to stand united, time to show these cowards that India is one. He made the point that the PM asked him to accompany him to Mumbai together. But the gold digger Mr. Advani is, he, escorted by his utility man, Jaswant Singh, flew to India even when the PM was in transit to show he is the first person to take stock of situation, as described by him, ‘to take a feel’ of situation. Was it necessary? Unanimous answer- NO. Mr. Sharad Pawar, Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav and even Ms. Mayawati, the worst of politicians otherwise, choose to keep the politics out of the attacks.
I know Mr. Bush is no angel. But the way he addressed the world after the 9/11 attacks, he showed why the world looks to the US as the ‘big daddy’. Each and every word of his speech was so inspiring and motivating that in that hour of crisis, the world believed that the sacrifices of those dead won’t be wasted. His speech filled everyone watching with a sense on confidence and self belief that the terrorists will be brought to justice. But the speech given by Mr. Manmohan Singh was so robotic, so numb, devoid of any emotion whatsoever that even the most optimistic of his supporter would have doubted his capacity as the PM of this great nation. That speech even failed to life the gloom of nation, forget instilling confidence.
Moreover, the points he made in his speech could and should have been avoided. When the brave men of police sacrificed there lives in the line of fire, shielding many innocent lives, the PM talked of reforming the Police system. How ironic? The blame should have been put on RAW and IB, to reform the intelligence system. Its not the duty of Police to guard the International waters. The police in India have a clearly defined role by the Indian Constitution and they did all what could have been done in the hour of crisis.
What needs to be done is pretty clear and evident. But when will the steps be taken remains to be seen. It won’t be a surprise if we see another attacks sooner rather than later. Its not the time to point fingers. If India needs to develop and negate any such threats, the Congress and BJP need to join hands for atleast 10 years to insure the country remains on the course of development. The other parties don’t stand any chance to challenge such an alliance.
As i conclude, there is a bitter sweet news, the NSG has taken control of Nariman House, at the expense of 5 hostages. I salute the elite NSG, MARCOS, Mumbai Police and all other elite forces who sacrificed there lives in the line of fire. I just wish that there sacrifices won’t be wasted.
Unjustified Tolerance-2
Sep 17th
Mumbai- India’s commercial capital, the financial hub of one of the fastest growing countries in world, the base of one of the biggest film industries in world, the home of a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual 40 million people. There is so much to be proud of, about Mumbai. But unfortunately, some people correction, some pessimists always want to hinder the evolution process.
Raj Thackeray, the outspoken rebel, who employed a very simple tactic, very similar to the one’s used by the British Raj, to gain some quick publicity and following. Its been some time since he broke apart from Shiv Sena, but never gained enough importance in the state politics till now. But as any other politician, he has started using cheap regional tactics to gain some supporters and establish his political influence in the state.
Maharasthra Navnirman Sena, thats what Raj named his party. To begin with, its a small regional party, formed in early 2006 as a result of internal clashes and contradictory views of Raj and Bal Thackeray, the supremo of Shiv Sena, of which Raj was the so called crown prince, ahead of Bal Thackeray’s son, Uddhav. Though its been more than 2 years now, the party gained impendum only after Raj deployed his forces against the so called Hindi-speaking population of India’s biggest Metropolis. The party is still not considered a big force or of any political relevant even in Mumbai.
But Raj is not anyway like his uncle Bal Thackeray. Yes, Bal Thackeray has his own views which are to an extent extreme, but Raj used fairly cheap and old yet effective tactics to establish his newly formed party. Its similar to what the British Raj used to rule over India. To divide and rule. The population of Mumbai is around 40 Million, but out of that, majority are immigrants from other states. They live and earn a decent livelihood in Mumbai, but majority are still not the choosers when it comes to Elections. The voting population still, largely remains the locals or the immigrants who have been living from ages and therefore has accepted it as there motherland. Raj just want to use this age old tactic to attract the local, electoral population, towards his party, make some following and use it as the vote bank for elections. Well, considering the Indian politics and politician, its a fairly wise choice and smart strategic move.
As the burning of English/Hindi hoardings, posters was not enough, Raj started attacking affluent immigrant personalities personally. Mr. Amitabh Bachhan’s residence in Mumbai was attacked by MNS party workers. Stones were thrown, effigies and posters were burnt. To the extent that they stopped the premier of one of his film. Mr. Bachhan, as wise, diplomatic and highly respected responsible citizen of Mumbai, Maharashtra and India came out publicly on camera to apologise for Mrs. Jaya Bachhan’s comments for which Mrs. Bachhan had already apologised on camera. For what? Just because Raj Thackeray wanted so.
Warnings after warnings, abuses after abuses, breaking laws and continued ultimatums for unethical and insensible things, started coming rather rapidly from Raj. But the state Government just couldn’t act. Nothing at all. The followers and party workers of MNS continued rampaging shops and homes, attacking individuals, but the Government never let the Police act. The helplessness and frustration of Police was evident in there statements to media. But our democratic set-up don’t let police to act independently. They have to get warrants, orders and many other formalities needs to be completed before they can take any action. But we all know, our politicians would never let anyone act for the betterment of our country.
The Government don’t even have any excuse for it. I can be arrested for writing this blog, although my RIGHT TO SPEECH gives me all authority to express my views. But in Jungle Raaj there are no rights, its just the race to survive amongst the beasts. Gob be with us.
