Act or React

Anupam Srivastava As the country's politicians were at loggerheads against each other during the elections in various states, Some of them were fighting for Marathi Asmita in Mumbai, they never knew on November 26 a barbaric attack was being planned by terrorists to hit the Indian economy. Crime and terror are not new to the country. In the last decade-and-a-half, we've had around 100 blasts and terror attacks. It seems we have became immune to such incidents or become insensitive to such incidents. But take my words I have seen nothing to match the scale and suffering of what happened on 'a Wednesday'. I have been in Mumbai for many years, a lively and energetic city and politicians knew that its on the radar of terrorists but no one bothered. And Mumbai paid the price for being economic capital of country once again. The blood bath by terrorist claimed more than 130 lives and the count is still on.Sitting in Lucknow we cannot think of the woes of Mumbaikars who will surely take a long time for one to recover from the turn of events. Being a journalist I can't stay away from television since the time I returned home from the office on Wednesday. It was all unfolding on television. I was worried for my brother who works for a MNC in Mumbai, he left Taj after meeting a client a few hours earlier. I I made franatic phone calls to him, once I had talked to him I was relaxed. But think of those who were not able to make contact with their loved ones. Round-the-clock Reality TV was keeping me update of the events in Mumbai, the mentality of channels for bringing in round the clock reality images resulted in the deaths of some policemen because the terrorists positioned themselves at different places to attack the police officials entering the hotel, but the channels never bothered for the state of security forces and kept on airing feeds about the 'strategy' adopted by the security forces in order to boost the ratings of their channel. It was strange see 'exclusive' word being used rather liberally by many anchors. one channel even was able to establish contact with the terrorists holding a group of people hostage at Oberoi. After some irrelevant questions answer session the line was cut off and exclusive stuff followed, 'Insane' was the reaction. What makes me sad is those people talking big about the Asmita were nowhere. No one came out console the families of dead. I develop cold feet when I think about the families who have lost near and dear ones to this mindless mayhem , my salute to the Jawans of police, the guests and employees at the hotels and the person on the street who were victim of the barbaric act. Think of the girl who was scheduled to get married next Monday to a man shot dead at Cafe Leopold, to all those who never returned home after a hard day's work. I specially want the people who always defend terrorists at various platforms on the name of human rights to speak some words on the bedlam.. Will they take the responsibility of such an attack and continue to defend the terror suspects mindlessly, will they keep on raising question marks over the encounters in the country creating a confusion in the minds. This time instead of coming up with vague excuses it's the time to react for the government because time of action has gone. If we don't react in time then we will be left with nothing as the terrorists will know that our government is neither able to act or react. It's the test of Manmohan, Sonia, Advani, Rajnath that how they express solidarity in fight against terror instead of accusing each other for the growing incidents of terror.We have heard enough of Kandhar, Babri demolition, Mumbai blasts, and now this mayhem now we want a hit at the terror base if you are not able to do so then give opportunity to someone who has the courage to take fight to the enemy camp. Knowing Mumbaikars I am sure they will stage a comeback and will get on with the day-to-day work. It was heartening to see some of the enterprises, several shops and restaurants opened despite the attack. The small trading activities of Bhelpuriwallah kept the spirits of big business houses on a high. Its for the Government to learn from this and upgrade our intelligence and security systems so that such attacks in future could be thwarted. Hit them hard before they hit you or they will eat you like a pie, please come over the attitude to please certain sections of society, try to defend your country. If you don't have country then where will you go to contest elections?artanupam@gmail.com