Ashwini Ahuja
First time, after the independence of India, our politicians are somewhat worried over the grim situation of the country. Before this, they always showed off their worry & regret whenever terrorists’ activities happened in any part of the country but the recent terrorists’ attack on Mumbai, which was so far the biggest ever aggression has awaken them from long slumber and they actually felt that the country is experiencing the worst time. They really worried.
According to some media reports, now, they realize that there is definitely something shameful on their part because of their failure in check security lapses and mend them timely.
It is utterly shocking to mention that the Mumbai attack by Pakistani terrorists was well planned, meticulous, involving the acquisition of large quantities of arms & ammunition and a ship for transport from Karachi to Mumbai through sea route but the intelligence agencies, shamefully or sloppily, didn’t get the hint of their planned attack. A worst shamefully happened under the nose of big security.
What is the purpose of such corroded, thoroughly incompetent and internally subverted system of governance? Why we spend thousands of crore on them at Mumbai if they are not able to take on one small bunch of terrorists. It is discernible to feel that how ten young Muslims defeated the might of India’s armed forces?
Second point, if our security personnel knew about the terrorist plan and didn’t deliberately take an urgent preventive step because of having the taste of bribery grease on their palm, it is totally a criminal negligence on their part. Such corruption, casual behaviour ought to be wiped out at its nascent stage. It is explicable that it is political interference and corruption at high-level which is directly linked to ministerial corruption also which leads to the birth of terrorism in the country.
The question is: why the leadership of the country always remains failed to comprehend the internal situation of the country? Why the intelligence agencies didn’t gather the clues before the gigantic, unpleasant incident? It is quite simple to understand that once the culture of bribery corrodes the internal security apparatus, none can stop the enemies of nation finding their way with ease to strike the targets of their choice. First parliament, second Taj and next what?
In 1993, the gang of Dawood Ibrahim had smuggled huge quantities of RDX & ammunitions by greasing the palms of key personnel in the security & custom. The situation has not changed even after 15-16 years. However, politicians first time ever felt the sense of to be shamed. It is the first time when the word “SHAME” began to haunt them and they are haphazardly trying to hide themselves. They promise to the country people with terrible shivers in their body and frustration in their sound that they will take on terrorism. In fact, they are feeling themselves totally unsuccessful to control over the situation which has gone out of their hands only because of their vote-bank reasons.
After the terrorists’ attack in Mumbai’s different locations- Taj hotel, Oberoi/Trident hotel & Nariman house and the death of nearly two hundred people including some top police officials, the politicians of the country thought that the situation would pacify with the time gone but it did not, rather the anger among country men went on increasing day by day. Then, the politicians have no other ways but for trying to escape themselves from people’s anger. Our two ministers have to say sorry to Mumbaikars when he realized their teeth gnashing in the head of politicians and government. Newly Home Minister P. Chidambaram too realized a mistake on government part.
It is no hidden thing that there were several security lapses. And these were because of widespread corruption in different government departments which allowed the situation to become so depressing and dismal. People of the entire country are now angry in view of the irresponsibility of the politicians and they have the every right to express their ire.
Over the week of terrorist attack, the rallies and candle-light processions are being organized across the county even in small towns and villages following the Gateway of India’s gathering. The overwhelmed & wild anger of common men of India has realized the politicians that they are nothing more than an object of their contempt and hatred.
India has now shivered only because of those who let the county down fostering corruption & allowing hooliganism and terror free on run for just garnering votes. The protestors in different cities refused to pay taxes as a first step if the government remains failed to protect the common people of the country. No security, no tax was the slogan. It was a kind of non-cooperation movement as Mahatma Gandhi had launched in 1942 against British Regime.
If we look at the expenditure of our leaders’ security, we will definitely shudder. The expenditure on the security of Sonia Gandhi and her family is approximately 117 crore while for other leaders it is gone beyond 250 crore. Only leaders need security? Why the common men of India are derived from appropriate security?
We shame to hear that the budget for NSG (National Security Guard) whose commandos had saved several people from Taj, Trident & Nariman House had decreased from 159 crore to 150 crore a year before. People of the country well understand that politicians are provided special security at the cost of common men’s money. If the government remains failed to give the public full security, why should the people pay taxes to the government? And the people have the every right to oppose the government.
Pragmatically, it’s time to think over the genesis of crisis and act sternly. It is not a time to just speak rhetorically- “the terrorists will be brought to justice”. When they will be brought to justice? After the massacre of more thousands? After one more attack on Taj? Why the government of India delaying in action despite knowing they are the enemies of India’s diversity & secular fabric and playing worst with India at the behest of Pakistan.
“Action, not words” was a message from aggrieved public which the TV channels displayed. The government of India should well understand the public mood. What they actually want? By action means- they want concrete action against Pakistan, nothing else. They want to know what will the next step of the government of India if the rulers of the neighboring country denied extraditing the hardcore terrorists to them. Should the rulers of the neighboring country be taught a lesson for fostering terrorism as a low cost, low risk proxy war against India? Should India needs more evidences after the Mumbai mayhem.
One will be surprised to know that Pakistani security experts and media men of that country are of the opinion that the attack on Mumbai was the work of Hindu Zionists and they rather complained that whenever some attacks happens in India, the government of India always blames the Pakistan government. The reality is: the jihadis are strong-willed to destroy the very idea of India and they have the enormous support of moderate Pakistanis also.
It is time to strengthen & reconstruction of the security institutions and to modernize the creaking antiquated justice system. The huge security flaws which the Mumbai attack has exposed should be finished off forthwith. This attack was a 60 hours war-like situation. The next if it unfortunately happens may be biological or even nuclear. Can we afford such attacks? Indian politicians should mend their ways and work with solidarity to curb the menace of terrorism without playing the game of blaming on each other. Presently, it is no shame to say that we have been cheated by all those to whom we have trust.
This article was published in "The Verdict", Mumbai
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