The news channels are all saturated with remembrance of the Mumbai terror attacks. As I watched the tributes to the martyrs of the day, I couldn’t help but wonder how little things had changed since those three terror-filled days.
The Mumbai attacks were supposed to be our wakeup call. The moment when middle-class India threw off its coat of indifference and embraced the task of nation-building. The time when the nation sunk its differences and came together to fight as one. The clarion call for more professionalism in our police, and indeed, in our government.
Unfortunately, all those hopes have been belied. Six months after the candle-light vigils at the Gateway of India, the middle-class voted overwhelmingly at 40%. If anything, the last two elections have proved that Mumbaikars, (or Bombay-ites, if I may, with deference to the MNS) like their other city counterparts, prefer a vacation over a vote. We are still as divided, on language (witness the Hindi oath taking controversy), on religion (the Vande mataram controversy), and on political lines. We are as intolerant as ever, as unprofessional as ever, and continue to ignore those who try to protect us from such terror. The one terrorist who was caught is still alive, and the ones who messed up during the attacks are back in power, along with the cynicism of appointing the same person who was fired over the Mumbai attacks back as Home minister.
Before I end though, I do want to add a note about the media adulation of the three cops who were martyred that day. If you dispassionately analyze the scene, you’ll realize that these cops charged in without thinking, without examining the situation, and ignoring all their training. You could also ask why Hemant Karkare did nothing about the crappy bullet-proof jacket he was given. Or why three senior officers of the Bombay police were together in one car during such a moment. Or why they underestimated the opponent and were martyred, I presume, without firing a single bullet?
The true police hero of the Mumbai attacks is Tukaram Omble, someone our channels have almost forgotten. Not caring for his life, or the fact that he was unarmed, he fought a deadly terrorist armed with an AK-47, who pumped bullets into him even as he held on, giving the other cops an opportunity to capture him alive. Alive. Think about how strong India’s case against Pakistan has become because Kasab was captured, not killed.
May their martyrdom not go to waste.
2 comments:
Very nicely written. It is ghastly system this - our political system. People are treated as vote banks, divided on caste and religion, exploited as minorities. Justice is hard to come by (hint: 1984, not a single person found guilty so far). Yet, we cream up and dress on for the value of life in too small to do something about.
A big densely populated country like India will be chaotic, we need to find a way to bring order. I guess time plays a big role and so does education and self awareness of rights. A well paid government machinery, a promise of a future to all children, the promise of water, food (and not necessarily a mobile phone), the infrastructure to help people be more mobile are all needs of the hour.
Coming back to 26/11, we all have to say "Door hato e duniya walon hindustan hamara hain"
Wow, Balbir - I never thought we'd agree on anything! :)
Yeah, we need to find a way to bring order, and time does play a role - but I wonder, can we hasten the process somehow?
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