Other Posts

Double Date

8:00 AM Class

Socially Networked Wife

Unreal

Climate vs Money

First Date Blues

Bus Stop Relations

Gift for Lady ?

63 Hours

Follow Me On

- Twitter -

- Facebook -

Decent Death Please

I am extremely angry, upset and hurt. The bomb blast in Pune is not just a tragedy but a crude reminder that every time I step out of my house in my very own country, I might not return home. The worst part is that in a country of 1 billion plus, my death won't be even statistically significant. Let's face it. The cost of our lives is way less than the newspaper which reports its loss. A few ministers would condemn the act, a few politicians would term the event shameful, some would even ask for the resignation of home minister. The blame game would begin, an enquiry would be set up and amidst the din of name calling, accusations and long wait for justice, forgotten would be the 8 lives that snapped in a moment just because they happened to be in a bakery.

Haven't we seen all this before and all too frequently ? Isn't it still time to start getting some answers ? We are in a democracy after all. Oops ! Democracy is the problem they reply. The arguement is that in a democratic country so big, it is impossible to monitor every bakery and restaurant. Well well... Let's look at a certain other democracy. The United States. They experienced one major terrorist attack and they made sure it never happens again. You can blame them for all the human rights violation you want. But the bottom line remains that as a resident of the United States, I am not afraid to roam about freely in this country. Some of the security measures in US border on paranoia but I would rather be a paranoid about my security than a sitting duck for the weirdos aka extremists.Plus,isn't security in public places my right and doesn't that make the lack of it a human right violation ? I truly believe that India, as a democracy, is mature enough to understand that freedom and responsibility go hand in hand. And if we are required to take up greater responsibility for the freedom we enjoy, then none of us would have the slightest qualms about it.

Any Govt's supreme responsibility is the protection of its people. Making sure a movie releases, making sure the locals get to drive more cabs or building more statues of a community leader and other such gimmicks can clearly wait. But it almost seems that every politician has a vested interest in keeping the atmosphere of terror alive. A terrified citizen would be too preoccupied to ask about good governance, education or healthcare. It is easy to bash up politicians you might argue. But don't they clearly deserve it ? How many times does a smiling friend need to stab your back before you realise that he is not your friend ? I know, you know and everyone with a sense of judgement knows that dialogue with Pakistan doesn't work. Yes, I am blaming Pakistan and I don't need a decade later enquiry report to convince me of that. I am willing to harbor the doubt whether Pakistan Govt. directly was involved or not but there can be absolutely no doubt that this or any previous terror attack in our soil has been carried out in the knowledge of islamabad (and ya the lower case 'i' in islamabad is not an oversight).They may argue that they are as troubled by extremism as us but then it is their investment in evil that is reaping dividends for them. Why should we partake in the punishment from the monster they created themselves ?

'War mongerer' did you say ? Well, if suggesting pre-emptive strikes to protect my country is war mongering then so be it. I want to be very clear about the point of 'pre-emptive' strikes. I DO NOT advocate war with Pakistan. War has never been a solution unless it is the last solution available. But I see absolutely no point in dithering about obliterating any location in Pakistan or for that matter anywhere in the world which harbors terrorists and for which we have actionable intelligence. Israel doesn't seek permission, Russia never needed one, US didn't wait for approval to protect its people and punish the perpetrators. Whose permission are then we waiting for to bring to justice the sworn enemy of our State.

Let's not waste time on Kasab, demonstrating the fairness of our judicial system. Let's not get distracted by the debate on 'Good Taliban' or 'Bad Taliban'. Let's not debate the religion of terror because it has none.
It is our blood that is shed on the streets, it is our people blown to shreds and it is our families that are devastated forever.

If my Govt. cannot give me a decent life then can it atleast ensure a decent death for me ?

Share |