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In Mumbai, it's business as usual

| Intelligence had no inkling of blasts | Communal harmony will be state’s biggest challenge | In Mumbai, it's business as usual

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It was probably the famed spirit of Mumbai. Or maybe due the periodic bomb blasts and accompanying loss to life and property, the city has become inured to such tragedies. Mumbai displayed its characteristic stoicism on Friday after the powerloom town of Malegaon - known for its communally fragile sentiment - witnessed multiple blasts, killing over 35 people.

Team DNA fanned out to some sensitive spots in the city and found that it was business as usual. There were no signs of tension. People went about their chores without fear and, in fact, many even dropped enough hints that they had little time for people and events that brought the city to a ferment at the first opportunity.

There were the men in uniform "who were in a state of high alert". But they had little to worry as both communities displayed remarkable maturity given the manner in which the city’s harmony stood to be compromised in the past.

At Haji Ali, devotees turned up in large numbers to celebrate Shab-e-Baraat, considered the holiest night in Islam.

Saiyad Altaf Baba, a flower vendor, said, "I have been here for 27 years, but have seen nothing ever affecting the spirit of the devotees. They come here despite all odds and under all circumstances. Today, we are expecting more than three lakh devotees, not only from Mumbai, but also from remote corners of the state."

Buland Khan, a resident of Navi Mumbai and a frequent visitor to the Haji Ali dargah, said, "The events in Malegaon are definitely saddening, but we are surely not going to get affected. Mumbai has glided through many tragic moments and has learnt to show its true spirit - the spirit of brotherhood."

Poonam Dubey, a Chembur resident and a devotee at Haji Ali, said, "What has happened in Malegaon is the handiwork of some misguided elements. The entire thing seems to be politically motivated to widen communal schism. Terrorism has no religion. I am sure people will come out of their homes fearlessly, which is the most resounding  slap on the face of mischief-makers."

At the Mahim dargah, regular devotees flocked as usual to offer their evening Friday prayers.

26-year-old Anis Sheikh had a pointed question: "Why should we be in fear because of blasts that occurred in Malegaon? All is fine here. There is no panic."

The stretch from Mahim dargah to Bandra mosque had people in large numbers, who did not want to miss their date with the Friday ‘namaaz.’

Subodh Shirke, a student, pointed out to the routine Friday scene and said, "It sounds cliched, but Mumbai has learnt not to get swayed by incidents that otherwise can threaten to tear its social fabric." 

No hushed discussions, no huddled groups and not even the needless rumour-mongering. It was an evening that Mumbai lives by the sweat of its brow.

In the commercial hub of Mohammed Ali Road, it was as if people had not even heard about the blasts. And if some did, they had no time and inclination to react. Shabbir Hussein, a shopkeeper near Minara Masjid, said, "I am not aware of any blasts. I can tell you, my brethren will never commit acts like these on a sacred day."

MN Attarwala, another shopkeeper, said, "I have no idea about the blasts. It’s been perfectly fine here. There is no tension."

Though peace and saner counsel prevailed, there was no security outside mosques, in contrast to the heavy police presence outside the Mumbadevi temple at Bhuleshwar.

The police said security outside the temple had been in place since the last serial blasts.

Umesh Bajpai, who sells flowers outside the temple, said, "The security has been tight since the recent blasts. Only it looks a little more fortified."

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