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ShareWe're learning this the hard way. That life is often stranger than fiction. So when we saw the incredulous images of aircrafts crashing into the World Trade Centre, we ended up saying, "It's just like in movies!"
But no amount of watching action flicks, reading pulp fiction or even writing a film titled Shootout At Lokhandwala prepared me for those shocking images of young boys with deadly weapons strolling down a railway station, a hijacked police van speeding down a street with gunmen spraying bullets on pedestrians and 60 hours of siege and shootouts involving cops, commandos and choppers. I am shaken, stirred and saddened that my city has been raped by terrorists and politicians in ways unimaginable!
What's the difference between a terrorist and a politician if both speak the language of hatred and hold a city hostage by attacking innocent people, damaging public property and issuing threats? It would be unfortunate if a tragedy of this magnitude doesn't teach them accountability, responsibility and the maturity to see that leadership isn't about renaming a city or street or enforcing a language. It's also not about governing by ordering probes and enquiry commissions.
There's an interesting text message doing the rounds: "We need not worry about those who come by boat but must worry about those who come through vote!" Because those who come by boat will hesitate if we've strong political leadership that can be counted upon to protect its people! We've nobody who inspires that kind of confidence. Except the army, who often rescues us from floods and fanatics, and the court of law, which frequently questions politicians and often delivers justice.
The only difference between terrorists and politicians is that they've contrasting attitude towards the so-called Spirit of Mumbai. The terrorist wants it broken. The politician counts on it -- because it keeps the Mumbaikar busy with his daily struggle to earn his wages and pay taxes to a government that can guarantee him neither safety nor basic amenities.
Does it make sense when Mumbai's politicians are easily offended by a painting, a paragraph in a book, a scene in a movie or the language that dominates the signboard on shops? Shouldn't they be offended by continued acts of terrorism? It's time they understood that combating terrorism is actually a World War that needs nations to join forces against one common enemy. It doesn't help if you can't see beyond your state or vote banks!
