Shubhangi Khapre: Tricolour flies high amid high alerts

As we celebrate our 65th Independence Day, there is a subtle message as the entire commercial capital is transformed into a fortress.

The state is used to the ritual which marks every national celebration as the Union Home Ministry sends its advisory on security threat to Maharashtra. The Centre’s high alert sounded to the state is dismissed as a regular drill.

And politicians sharpen their oratory skills to convey the same old message of cultural nationalism. The day begins with echoes of patriotic songs in every mohallah. By afternoon, ‘Saare Jahan Se Achha’ gives way to ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’ as youngsters revel in community lunch with local netas playing hosts.

By now, citizens reckon that security threat is integral to every Independence Day celebrations. And they only pray that life goes on without another bomb blast.

After all, how much can a Mumbaikar worry about security when those at the helm lack political will to govern with iron hands? Whether it was 26/11 or 13/7, the Congress coalition at the Centre or the state seems to have learnt no lessons.

What is more shameful is the underlying politics that determine the policy making on even the dismissal of mercy petition of Afzal Guru, who plotted and executed the Parliament attack. There cannot be any rationale why the Centre cannot expedite the hanging of Guru by waiving of the dozen mercy petitions pending before the President of India.

Shiv Sena MP Bharatkumar Raut on Friday wrote to President Pratibha Patil urging her to dismiss the mercy petition to facilitate Guru’s hanging as a special case for his heinous crime.

The government has done little to display its political will to fight terrorism. The Centre’s attitude percolates to the state as harsh decisions on combating internal security remain on paper. Or else, how does one explain the landing of two ships, dodging the navy and the police, a day after home minister RR Patil boasted nobody would dare venture along Mumbai’s coast ever again.

It is an irony that the state, which cannot provide a Rs1,000 pay hike to the police, is spending crores to keep Kasab alive. The death sentence against Kasab or Guru is a foregone conclusion.

The government’s patience in taking action is also understandable as it does not want to complete the legal procedure. But how can one justify why the Centre is trying to delay the decisions to draw political mileage.

In 1999, the NDA government may have succeeded to cash in on the Kargil war. But in 2004, despite consolidating its position, it lost the people’s battle. The Congress at the Centre or the state should not take people for granted. If it ignores the public outcry over terrorism, it would have to face the consequences.

As we celebrate another Independence Day, we have to come to terms with the greater security challenges both internal and external. No government can surge ahead by ignoring the people’s pulse.