While the flame is alive...

The Mumbai saga of terrorism though over, has left many a scars all over the nation. Simply paying a verbal homage to the martyrs and the innocent victims of this extremist attack without formulating any visible, practical and concrete steps to prevent such incidents in future actually seems disrespectful to all those who have lost their lives. 

I am led to believe that Indian democracy is on the verge of a rot and people and especially the leadership of the country needs to re-learn the essence and meaning of terms like 'Accountability' and 'Patriotism'.

In the days that have followed since the NSG commandos declared the area 'sanitized' and safe, much has already happened to put any sensible moderately educated Indian to shame.

To begin with, the very morning following the terrorist attack the two major political parties in the country, Congress and BJP, had altered their political campaigns and their print advertisements to suitably target and cash the situation. While BJP wanted people to vote for them so that they can come into power and put a curb on the growing menace of terrorism, Congress advocated and pursued its own interest by garbing it in a message of solidarity with the people of the country.

Others went even ahead. In an article published in one of the leading dailies, one of the socialite confessed to having received an SMS from the wife of the MNS chief Raj Thackerey even as the Taj was ablaze. This particular message read that it were mainly Marathis who were killed in the attack on Mumbai and MNS workers were the ones who were out on streets helping people. I personally felt disgusted at the shallow mind set of the Indian leadership and the way everything was up for grabs to be cast into petty politics and agendas cast into regionalism to secure a vote bank.

The morning after the entire episode was over and while the assessment of carnage and a forensic investigation was still on in Hotel Taj, the CM of Maharashtra went on an entourage of the site accompanied by his actor son and a film director. I am sure such trivialization of a tragedy of national grief can not happen elsewhere in the world.

In days to follow couple of big chairs were rotated, Shivraj Patil, the home minister and R.R Patil, the home minister of state tendered their resignations. The PM would now be looking at the Finance portfolio in addition to his other duties and the Finance minister P.Chidambaram would be the new Home minister. So far so good, but as I key in this article, there still has been no news of some reforms being thought of and envisioned for the dilapidated state of the Police armory or influxing some new reforms to the existing laws against terrorism, forget about attacking the root of the problem ranging from rise of the fundamentalist groups in the country to the history old issue of Kashmir border burning for past six decades.

And, to rub salt to the wounds, insensitive remarks and comments have constantly been pouring in from various political figures in the country.

BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi  commented that " Some women wearing lipstick and powder and carrying candles have taken to streets in Mumbai and are abusing politicians spreading dissatisfaction against democracy. This is what terrorists are doing in Jammu and Kashmir."

Now will someone rise to the occasion and ask Mr. Naqvi, if these women who were lighting candles in protest were to wash the lipstick and powder off their faces, would it wake up public figures in the country from their slumber to do something more practical about the situation?

If that was not enough then it makes sense to quote Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan who said "Had it not been the house of Major Sandeep, not even a dog would have visited them" in response to the hostile reception he and Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan received at the residence of slain Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan in Bangalore when Sandeep’s father Unnikrishnan had criticised VS and other politicians and asked them not to visit his house or convey their condolence as the Kerala Government failed to pay tribute to Sandeep till a section of the media had pointed it out.

I don't know, the entire episode and the incidents post the attack makes me sad and the disgust that swells up inside is beyond words to comprehend. As a first reaction I did not even feel like putting the pictures of these so called leaders in this post, but eventually did so because I felt it would be worthwhile for the readers to see their faces and make a better judgement of things next time they go out and cast their vote.

I am sure in a couple of days everything would be forgotten. I guess, Indians overall have become complacent and the 'Chaltaa-Hai' attitude has been seeped down into our veins. The candles shall extinguish and so would be the memories of the burning dome of the Taj. The news channels shall go back on covering antics of Rakhi Sawant and everything would be gulped down over a cup of tea, a cricket match or simply another scandal.

Just wish that all the while there are some candles lit, few torches burning, there better be an uprising of sorts and some things do change before the lights go out again and another symbol on India's heritage is burnt to cinders along with National pride.