I find it strange that people want me to maintain silence when even those who are miles away have been deciding the fate of us Indians.
Getting politicians to resign is the easiest thing; getting them to act is tough.
Have you seen the panel discussions on television? Even Nikhil Wagle and top cop M.N.Singh are nodding their heads at statements made by some socialite. Yeah. “Enough is enough”. I said that in 1993. Tell me what is enough and who is going to decide? I could not then. So, who will now? These people?
I was sent messages and ‘personally invited’ to a candle-light vigil. I refused to go. I said it in so many words. “Not interested.” I am not interested in standing there with melting wax to support victims. (I have never gone on such peacenik missions and never will, although some of the people involved in organising them are indeed genuine.) The victims are dead. They died because of failures at several levels.
Tragedy has been made into a joke – “I left my kids at home to be here”, “I am not having a party”, “I am wearing black”…so?
And people want me to be silent. Why?
I am sorry to bring this up, but the Sea Lounge has been mentioned again. Does anyone ever mention that of the people who are sitting in studios, 99 per cent have not ever done anything on the ground?
Does anyone know where I was during the 1993 riots? Were they even born then? Have they watched slums being bulldozed? Have they visited hospital wards and been confronted with pleas by ‘mental patients’ to take them out? Have they followed up on careless killings of ordinary people that were not due to terrorist attacks and sat with a rape victim as she showed her scars, or an old father as he waited for justice, and followed it up after a year, two years? Have they bothered to keep at the POW case of 1971 as I have, instead of capitalising on Sarabjeet Singh? Have they joined any NGO only because they feel they don’t want to merely use the people there for quotes?
You ask about my commitment?
Why? Because I am not barking into a mike? Because I am not saying with a flourish that the camera should not focus on some people shouting anti-Pak slogans (in the noise no one watching the TV would have even noticed until this was emphasised)? What for? To sound secular? Only because I am not holding a “Muslim man” by the shoulder as he, bearded, skull capped, says in English that he has come to the Gateway of India to tell people that Islam is not the religion of the terrorist and starts quoting chapter 5, surah something? Do they even realise that this looks like another kind of mockery where Muslim man comes to defend his religion?
This qualifies as an important statement?
Why not just distribute copies of the Quran and let people judge?
Why is no one complaining about this sort of media fascism where views are being forced down their throats?
I am not asking anyone to read any holy book. I am not quoting from any holy book. I am not justifying any religion. I am not abusing anyone. I am asking questions that I want to ask.
A friend told me I should not sound defensive. If it comes across as that, it is okay. I will have my say. It does reflect the views of at least some people who cannot express themselves. Or, even if they do, they feel a bond.
Someone even said I could afford not to be afraid. I am not sure how much fear costs, but those who wish to scare me will have to first become fearless themselves.
30.11.08
Did V.P.Singh’s gambles pay off?
by Farzana Versey
Countercurrents, 29 November 2008
He chose the wrong time to die. His timing was often bad. V.P.Singh, former Prime Minister of India, gave up the fight against several ailments that should have killed him 15 years ago on November 27. He was 77.
It was the wrong time because newspapers and the electronic media are covering the horrendous terrorist attacks in Mumbai. VP was not the kind to exit quietly; the Rajput in him cherished a bit of pomp and glory. To his credit, it constituted the superficial aspect, like a garment. It did not as much as scrape his skin, forget enter his soul.
As I scoured a couple of reports, the comments sections threw up the worst invectives. “He was a devil.” “The world will be better without him.” “Thank god he is dead.”
(The complete article has been uploaded on my other blog and is accessible at the website if you click the title link)
29.11.08
Mumbai blasts - the end is not always the end
...and it is time we woke up
Why are the Mumbai blasts being referred to as Mumbai’s 9/11? Even for this we are paying tribute and sucking up to the imperialists who hold the puppet strings of world mayhem.
Why are TV reports referring to the T-shirts of the guys whose pictures have been captured as “designer Versace”? From that distance and with the hazy images how can they be so sure those are designer and not fake? And how important is this to the investigations?
Now here is the real cruncher regarding the captured terrorist Azam Amir Kasav:
This is amazingly bad reporting. A 21-year-old who has the gall to stroll after shooting at the CST station, who signals his colleague after the job is done, is now pleading for his life?
If among the instructions given to them was to "kill till the last breath", he would never behave like this.
There is more:
Is this supposed to be a joke? These guys came fully armed, they had been planning for months, they were prepared to die and do anything because of whatever cause they believed in, and now the police grilling was getting to him?
Can someone cut out the tripe if they don’t have real information or opinions of any worth?
If Azam is this pussycat, then he does not qualify as a jihadi, a mujahideen or any of these terms. Because those guys want to become shaheed…they don’t plead with cops or get scared of being grilled. In fact, he would not have allowed himself to be caught; he would have killed himself.
Read up on how these people operate and how they are psychologically trained.
- - -
I am aware that Jews getting killed and Nariman House being under siege would make international news. It is sad that anyone died, and that includes those at this venue.
However, I would like to know why six members of a group called Zaka (acronym for Zihuy Korbanot Ason - Disaster Victim Identification) have arrived in the city and whether they will be permitted to do what they have come to - collect and arrange the body parts and blood of Jews so that they can be returned to family members and are afforded a dignified burial according to Jewish law.
This cannot be allowed under any circumstances until police investigations are completely over.
I wonder if they went to the US after 9/11 where it is said a sizeable number of Jews were in the Twin Towers.
- - -
Now, let us split Rahul Gandhi’s quote and see how I can respond:
Of course, it won’t. We are already divided. Forget the whole country, even this city is.
Of course, we are not scared, that is why even though we knew about something “spectacular” about to happen six months ago we took it coolly; they managed to plan everything meticulously. We are not scared…which is why a bunch of them held the city to ransom for 59 hours, that too by operating within confined spaces and not on the run.
Of course, we will come out, fight and defeat them because we don’t do anything with the information we have beforehand. The ordinary people are out without 2000 cops tailing their VIP vehicles. They fight to survive not to prove a point. They defeat terrorism by often becoming victims.
Have some shame, Rahul. This does not bring progress to India. India will progress when it has its infrastructure in order, its people have drinking water and electricity and jobs.
Grow up. The BJP will be giving you five years by which time I should hope you will learn some things.
- - -
They say when the tragedy gets too much, there comes a time for release. You may now laugh out loud. This is part of a report (a report about men with guns, mind you) by a “former journalist” (is it any wonder that he is former?):
Indeed.
My turn.
Can you tell me how the presence of dry fruits gives any particular lead?
Were there dates? From which country? Almonds – Iranian or horrible American ones? Were the pistachios peeled? If not, then did the chhilkas leave any trails? Would the shape of the walnuts reveal any DNA details about the brains of the terrorists? Did they carry dried figs? They tend to get sticky, so did it hamper the operations? Finally, were any black raisins consumed? It means they had a low haemoglobin count, but since they also act as laxatives would we be able to tell what exactly transpired?
Merci, in advance, for any information.
Why are the Mumbai blasts being referred to as Mumbai’s 9/11? Even for this we are paying tribute and sucking up to the imperialists who hold the puppet strings of world mayhem.
Why are TV reports referring to the T-shirts of the guys whose pictures have been captured as “designer Versace”? From that distance and with the hazy images how can they be so sure those are designer and not fake? And how important is this to the investigations?
Now here is the real cruncher regarding the captured terrorist Azam Amir Kasav:
Azam who was tight-lipped initially, cracked upon seeing the mutilated body of his colleague and pleaded with the medical staff at Nair to save his life. "I do not want to die," he reportedly said. "Please put me on saline."
This is amazingly bad reporting. A 21-year-old who has the gall to stroll after shooting at the CST station, who signals his colleague after the job is done, is now pleading for his life?
If among the instructions given to them was to "kill till the last breath", he would never behave like this.
There is more:
Azam, who was at Nair hospital for nearly four hours, was taken away by the intelligence agencies in the early hours of Thursday to an unknown location after the hospital authorities had removed the bullet from his hand and declared that his condition stable. But it seems the police grilling was so intense that before he left the hospital for an undisclosed location he pleaded with the police and the medical staff to kill him. "Now, I don't want to live," he said.
Is this supposed to be a joke? These guys came fully armed, they had been planning for months, they were prepared to die and do anything because of whatever cause they believed in, and now the police grilling was getting to him?
Can someone cut out the tripe if they don’t have real information or opinions of any worth?
If Azam is this pussycat, then he does not qualify as a jihadi, a mujahideen or any of these terms. Because those guys want to become shaheed…they don’t plead with cops or get scared of being grilled. In fact, he would not have allowed himself to be caught; he would have killed himself.
Read up on how these people operate and how they are psychologically trained.
- - -
I am aware that Jews getting killed and Nariman House being under siege would make international news. It is sad that anyone died, and that includes those at this venue.
However, I would like to know why six members of a group called Zaka (acronym for Zihuy Korbanot Ason - Disaster Victim Identification) have arrived in the city and whether they will be permitted to do what they have come to - collect and arrange the body parts and blood of Jews so that they can be returned to family members and are afforded a dignified burial according to Jewish law.
This cannot be allowed under any circumstances until police investigations are completely over.
I wonder if they went to the US after 9/11 where it is said a sizeable number of Jews were in the Twin Towers.
- - -
Now, let us split Rahul Gandhi’s quote and see how I can respond:
"They think they can divide us, but this is not going to happen…”
Of course, it won’t. We are already divided. Forget the whole country, even this city is.
“they think they can scare us but this is also not going to happen…”
Of course, we are not scared, that is why even though we knew about something “spectacular” about to happen six months ago we took it coolly; they managed to plan everything meticulously. We are not scared…which is why a bunch of them held the city to ransom for 59 hours, that too by operating within confined spaces and not on the run.
“they think they can confine us to our homes but we will come out, fight and defeat them and bring progress to India.”
Of course, we will come out, fight and defeat them because we don’t do anything with the information we have beforehand. The ordinary people are out without 2000 cops tailing their VIP vehicles. They fight to survive not to prove a point. They defeat terrorism by often becoming victims.
Have some shame, Rahul. This does not bring progress to India. India will progress when it has its infrastructure in order, its people have drinking water and electricity and jobs.
Grow up. The BJP will be giving you five years by which time I should hope you will learn some things.
- - -
They say when the tragedy gets too much, there comes a time for release. You may now laugh out loud. This is part of a report (a report about men with guns, mind you) by a “former journalist” (is it any wonder that he is former?):
The best French restaurant in India is in the Taj, the Zodiac Grill. Its Camembert Dariole is a cheese cocoon, with the texture of spun silk. Its meat course is preceded by a sorbet, to wash the palate clean. The Taj knows quality and it knows service.
Indeed.
My turn.
Can you tell me how the presence of dry fruits gives any particular lead?
Were there dates? From which country? Almonds – Iranian or horrible American ones? Were the pistachios peeled? If not, then did the chhilkas leave any trails? Would the shape of the walnuts reveal any DNA details about the brains of the terrorists? Did they carry dried figs? They tend to get sticky, so did it hamper the operations? Finally, were any black raisins consumed? It means they had a low haemoglobin count, but since they also act as laxatives would we be able to tell what exactly transpired?
Merci, in advance, for any information.
So, am I supporting the handing over of Kashmir to Pakistan?
There is a good deal of out-of-context statements of mine that have been repeated here. Of particular importance is the one on Kashmir. The headline comes form such silly accusations.
I reproduce below the full article that was first published in my column Flipside in the June 24, 2000 issue of Mid-day, Mumbai, India.
Those who are interested in what I wrote eight years ago would find it interesting. (My views have not changed.) But do take cognisance of the timeframe when I mention x months ago etc…and do note words that are used in single quotes or end with a question mark and the specific reason certain statements were made, as in what they were responding to.
These are nuances that escape many people. I have highlighted certain portions in bold. Why? For those who like to leapfrog so that they can begin croaking.
- - -
Khuda Hafiz, Kashmir?
By Farzana Versey
June 24, 2000
I am a militant.
According to a BJP member, “Those who support the idea of greater autonomy (for Kashmir) are themselves militants.” I am tempted to ask how one would define somebody who talks about ‘Marathi maanus’. Would the Shiv Sena garland a portrait of Sunil Gavaskar with chappals? Has anyone in Punjab or Haryana said a word against Kapil paaji? Has the RSS called Mithun, Anil Kapoor, Mamta Kulkarni and scores of others, who were part of the Dubai/Sharjah circuit, “Dawood’s puppets”? Aren’t these too desperate versions of seeking autonomy and retaining ‘purity’?
Kashmir has been consistently treated shabbily. Which is why I support the move for its autonomy.
(The complete article has been posted on the other blog)
I reproduce below the full article that was first published in my column Flipside in the June 24, 2000 issue of Mid-day, Mumbai, India.
Those who are interested in what I wrote eight years ago would find it interesting. (My views have not changed.) But do take cognisance of the timeframe when I mention x months ago etc…and do note words that are used in single quotes or end with a question mark and the specific reason certain statements were made, as in what they were responding to.
These are nuances that escape many people. I have highlighted certain portions in bold. Why? For those who like to leapfrog so that they can begin croaking.
- - -
Khuda Hafiz, Kashmir?
By Farzana Versey
June 24, 2000
I am a militant.
According to a BJP member, “Those who support the idea of greater autonomy (for Kashmir) are themselves militants.” I am tempted to ask how one would define somebody who talks about ‘Marathi maanus’. Would the Shiv Sena garland a portrait of Sunil Gavaskar with chappals? Has anyone in Punjab or Haryana said a word against Kapil paaji? Has the RSS called Mithun, Anil Kapoor, Mamta Kulkarni and scores of others, who were part of the Dubai/Sharjah circuit, “Dawood’s puppets”? Aren’t these too desperate versions of seeking autonomy and retaining ‘purity’?
Kashmir has been consistently treated shabbily. Which is why I support the move for its autonomy.
(The complete article has been posted on the other blog)
28.11.08
Mumbai blasts – heroes and zeroes
More than 48 hours later, Operation Tornado was almost done.
Have you been watching the news?
Amitabh Bachchan has written something careless in his blog:
This, my friends, is being flaunted as the insecurity of the city-dweller. How many bodyguards does he have? What about his security? This is a wrong message being sent out to many people, including his poor fans.
How many people have licensed weapons? Isn’t he indirectly suggesting that we need to freely have access to weapons? The police force does. The army does. The commandoes do. Yet it took them two days to get rid of the terrorists, resulting in so many deaths.
His statement is most irresponsible. I am sure there are other ways for him to express how disturbed he is.
A stupid SMS message is doing the rounds:
Again, we are told this shows the anger of the Mumbaikar. Please understand this. The fact that we mention where the commandos come from means we are underlining this fact ourselves.
There is no need to politicise this issue at all. If people have the courage, they should have sent out these SMS messages when his party was on a rampage and called him a terrorist.
Will we put in an appeal that next time this happens we will call in the commandoes?
Why did Narendra Modi come to Mumbai?
He was not needed. He is another state’s chief minister. By announcing a Rs 1 crore compensation to the kin of the victims he is only playing electoral politics. Then he visited Hemant Karkare’s widow. This same man, and the same BJP, had been critical of the ATS chief when he was investigating the Malegaon blasts.
I can only hope that his widow is compensated financially by the Government of India and gets due respect. The best way to preserve his memory is to continue with his work and persist with it. Let not this terror attack stop another investigation.
Why has Manmohan Singh asked the ISI chief to come to India?
Is he going to admit that Pakistan is involved, if as they say the terrorists are from Pakistan?
And what is this clubby talk about Indo-Pak relations getting mucked up? When were they good?
I do not wish to rush in with any suggestions or ideas, but one thing has to be done by both countries. Leave Kashmir alone.
Flippant soundbytes
Everyone, including media persons crouching on the ground, have been pointing at the Taj Mahal Hotel and calling it a landmark, in fact many more wonderful things. Social butterflies are being interviewed and they are weeping in their scented tissues, with full make up on, about how they were almost there, or near that hotel; some have got nostalgic memories about how they saved money as kids to eat at the Taj.
They are kosher. Not one word against this superficiality. When I did not have enough money to spend, I did not even aspire for that.
Society biggies are talking about having a citizens’ movement to curb terrorism.
Really? This is an insult to all those who risked their lives. Dealing with terrorism is not about holding hands and forming a human chain and issuing sweet-sounding statements.
Only because five-stars were targeted does not mean only the voices of the rich and famous should be heard.
It was not the rich and famous who were clamouring to shake hands with the NSG commandos. It was the common people from the streets. They cheered them as the operation was through.
The commandos are the brave souls.
I must mention the media persons who spent hours and hours under restricted circumstances to cover the happenings. I did not agree with some of the reportage, but they did their jobs and some rather well and with responsibility.
Mumbai’s ordinary people
For not analysing. For going back to work. There is utterly misleading talk about how for the first time this city is not back on its feet. Nonsense. Not applicable to milkmen, vegetable vendors, domestic helpers…
Mumbai, as I said that day, will survive.
Does anyone know what the terrorists are really demanding?
Have you been watching the news?
Let me give you the zeroes first...
Amitabh Bachchan has written something careless in his blog:
“I am ashamed to say this. As the events of the terror attack unfolded in front of me I did something for the first time and one that I had hoped never ever to be in a situation to do. I pulled out my licensed .32 revolver, loaded it and put it under my pillow.”
This, my friends, is being flaunted as the insecurity of the city-dweller. How many bodyguards does he have? What about his security? This is a wrong message being sent out to many people, including his poor fans.
How many people have licensed weapons? Isn’t he indirectly suggesting that we need to freely have access to weapons? The police force does. The army does. The commandoes do. Yet it took them two days to get rid of the terrorists, resulting in so many deaths.
His statement is most irresponsible. I am sure there are other ways for him to express how disturbed he is.
A stupid SMS message is doing the rounds:
“Where is Raj Thackeray and his ‘brave’ Sena? Tell him that 200 NSG Commandos from Delhi (South, west, east and North Indians!) have been sent to Mumbai to fight terrorists so that he can sleep peacefully. Plz forward this so that it reaches the coward bully!”
Again, we are told this shows the anger of the Mumbaikar. Please understand this. The fact that we mention where the commandos come from means we are underlining this fact ourselves.
There is no need to politicise this issue at all. If people have the courage, they should have sent out these SMS messages when his party was on a rampage and called him a terrorist.
Will we put in an appeal that next time this happens we will call in the commandoes?
Why did Narendra Modi come to Mumbai?
He was not needed. He is another state’s chief minister. By announcing a Rs 1 crore compensation to the kin of the victims he is only playing electoral politics. Then he visited Hemant Karkare’s widow. This same man, and the same BJP, had been critical of the ATS chief when he was investigating the Malegaon blasts.
I can only hope that his widow is compensated financially by the Government of India and gets due respect. The best way to preserve his memory is to continue with his work and persist with it. Let not this terror attack stop another investigation.
Why has Manmohan Singh asked the ISI chief to come to India?
Is he going to admit that Pakistan is involved, if as they say the terrorists are from Pakistan?
And what is this clubby talk about Indo-Pak relations getting mucked up? When were they good?
I do not wish to rush in with any suggestions or ideas, but one thing has to be done by both countries. Leave Kashmir alone.
Flippant soundbytes
Everyone, including media persons crouching on the ground, have been pointing at the Taj Mahal Hotel and calling it a landmark, in fact many more wonderful things. Social butterflies are being interviewed and they are weeping in their scented tissues, with full make up on, about how they were almost there, or near that hotel; some have got nostalgic memories about how they saved money as kids to eat at the Taj.
They are kosher. Not one word against this superficiality. When I did not have enough money to spend, I did not even aspire for that.
Society biggies are talking about having a citizens’ movement to curb terrorism.
Really? This is an insult to all those who risked their lives. Dealing with terrorism is not about holding hands and forming a human chain and issuing sweet-sounding statements.
Only because five-stars were targeted does not mean only the voices of the rich and famous should be heard.
Heroes...
It was not the rich and famous who were clamouring to shake hands with the NSG commandos. It was the common people from the streets. They cheered them as the operation was through.
The commandos are the brave souls.
I must mention the media persons who spent hours and hours under restricted circumstances to cover the happenings. I did not agree with some of the reportage, but they did their jobs and some rather well and with responsibility.
Mumbai’s ordinary people
For not analysing. For going back to work. There is utterly misleading talk about how for the first time this city is not back on its feet. Nonsense. Not applicable to milkmen, vegetable vendors, domestic helpers…
Mumbai, as I said that day, will survive.
Finally…
Does anyone know what the terrorists are really demanding?
Remembering V P Singh
Had it not been for my ego, my first book would have been V.P. Singh’s biography. Hours and hours of tapes. Reams of words. All ready to be put together. Till I came across the statement, “Great. He is superb material.”
That did it. This would be about selling a commodity that was pretty much up for grabs because it had already been tried and tested. I wanted my first imprint to be about me. I wanted to see if I could sell my journeys.
I mentioned it to him. He was happy for me, but occasionally he did talk about “your next book”.
He ceased to be a subject the moment I first met him. Ever since that day eight years ago we talked at least twice every week, unless either of us was travelling, and lately since he took badly ill.
These are personal moments.
I remember.
The time he surprised me with a call, “Where are you?”
“Home.”
“I am lost.”
“What do you mean? Where are you?”
“In Bombay. I can’t find your place.”
“What? Why? I mean why are you coming…why didn’t you tell me?”
“Had I told you, then you would never have allowed it.”
This man who had to undergo dialysis every alternate day and was suffering from myeloma had flown down from Delhi, gone to the hospital for his dialysis and was on his way to meet me. Only because I had undergone a minor surgery.
He did this for people. People who would give him nothing, who had no name or fame.
I remember.
How he dipped the whole Marie biscuit in his tea cup and waited for it to soften and then daintily took it out with a spoon. I told him it was easier to dubao (dunk) it. Unlike the impression he gave with his crumpled kurta-pyjama, he was in fact extremely polished. Lunch, though painfully restricted for him (he had to get every morsel weighed on a machine, it was that bad, and every drop of water was counted), was indeed a perfect cutlery-crockery-linen mix. And it was served in courses.
I remember.
Him sketching…I sat there and watched and just felt so connected with it. He asked, “You really think it is good?” I said, “Not good; it just seems so silent.”
Months later he had an exhibition in Delhi. When we talked he told me that it was the first of his works that had a red mark. Sold. I knew it would reach out.
A few weeks later he was in Mumbai. I met him at the Sahyadri Guest House. He brought out the sketch and gave it to me. “But it was sold?”
“I said there was red mark. I put it on so no one could buy it. This is for you.”
“I can’t take it. I just said I liked it.”
“When have you ever said that you liked anything I have done?”
Yes, it is the monochromatic work that lies above where I type. There are traces of him in some of my blog posts. I have been reluctant to throw his name around.
Incidentally, the first time I had refused to meet him. He found that intriguing. The reason I had given was that I did not meet politicians socially. He liked flattery but it is rare for someone of his position to take brutal honesty. He could.
This might seem strange but he was not as sharp a political shooter as he is made out to be. Since I have an opinion on everything I told him the political party he was starting in 2006 was a stupid idea. We had a bit of an argument over that (he did sulk a lot). Then he put up Raj Babber as President. “Terrible.” I said. “Could you not find anyone else?”
“What is wrong with him? Years ago when I visited Bombay he took me around.”
“So, if someone plays tourist guide you make them the head of political parties? I can show you around…”
“You will be a terrible politician. Eik din nahin tikogi. (You won’t last a day.)”
I remember.
Sitting with him and his best friend at the latter’s house and these two talking like old schoolboys about the past.
He was obsessed with the past. Not about details but just the idea.
It is difficult for people to even fathom that writing a biography is one thing, understanding a person quite another. The latter helps in the former, but the person is not just a character. If I got to know a lot about him, and discover a lot more, then he knew much more about me. I shared every little detail.
Can one be objective when you share your life’s moments with someone? I hate the term objective. I can only say I was more aware of his flaws than many because he exposed them. For one who had been written about so much, he was curious about my take. Why? Wasn’t he aware of his life? “Haan, lekin tumhare interpretation se dar lagta hai!” It certainly wasn’t fear (he once sent me copies of all the nasty stuff written about him which I put away saying that he could not decide what nasty stuff I should choose); he was mimicking my use of perception/interpretation.
I remember.
Him taking the phone in the ICU just a few months ago. He said the doctors did not think he would make it. And in the past few times he did broach the subject of the book. The last time he seemed peppy. “I think I am getting better.”
It was never quite that. Last week, he sounded down. This time he said, “Ab tau kitaab likh hi do. I want to read it.”
I regret this ego of mine. I regret not being able to fight over my interpretation with him.
However, if there was anything he was prepared for it was death.
I remember.
That hospital room at Apollo and how he would tilt his head and empty a sachet of sugar in his mouth as his blood pressure fell towards the end of the dialysis session. I usually left before I had to see him in that state when his eyes would become heavy and his face drained.
“Ab khusi-khusi sui jao,” were the Bhojpuri words I learned from him.
That is all I can say now…
Sleep well…
- - -
Muflis se
ab chor ban raha hoon
Par
uss bhare bazaar se
churaoon kya
Yahan wohi cheezein sajee hain
jinhein lutaakar
main
muflis ho chuka hoon.
(From VP's ‘Ek Tukda Dharti, Ek Tukda Akash’)
- - -
I took this picture in May this year when I was in Delhi. It is at his house and the painting behind him is one of his favourite works.
27.11.08
Mumbai blasts...and careless whispers
It has been over 15 hours. Over 100 killed. Over 225 injured. 11 places attacked. Terrorists are still holed up inside some of these places.
It has been barely over 15 hours and everyone has turned into an expert.
I live in Mumbai. I know each one of these places.
This is the list:
Cama Hospital, GT hospital, CST (formerly VT) rail terminus; Taj Hotel at the Gateway, Oberoi Trident at Nariman Point, Nariman House Colaba, the domestic airport at Santa Cruz, the Metro Adlabs multiplex and Mazagaon Dockyard, Vile Parle.
Already, theories are being thrown around. It is disconcerting but unavoidable that the newspapers that came in late, naturally to front page this story, carried on its second page information about the Malegaon blasts in which there was this news item:
It is easy to put two and two together. After all, the ATS chief who was investigating that case has been killed, so have two other officers. And 14 policemen.
It is easy to say a lot of things. How could a boat filled with arms and grenades manage to get in? They are now insinuating the role of the underworld (something I mentioned during the attacks in other cities), but what does it say about our intelligence agencies? That arms can come in as easily by the underworld as narcotics?
What do the news channels mean when they say two terrorists were chased out of GT Hospital? Were they flies that they were chased out? Should not the security personnel have run after them and caught them or even shot at them and extracted information?
And then people want me to condemn the attack.
I won’t. I won’t because I will not dismiss off a tragedy, and the sick face of society, in one sentence. I won’t because every leader from the ruling party does it and means shit. I won’t because Opposition parties do it and mean shit. I won’t because groups as diverse as media gods and maulanas gather to condemn it and mean shit. I won’t because even those who we suspect as the outside hand condemn it and mean shit. I won’t because terrorist organisations rush to take responsibility for such acts and the ones who don’t condemn it and mean shit.
I won’t because I am not upto shit.
But I will make a few suggestions:
- Blog groups have sprung up; in the past some have been helpful in providing information. Let them not become another source of sensationalism. They have limited information because most areas are under curfew. Yes, they might be helpful for helplines and blood donation requests etc.
- The media is being kept at a distance, so what you watch on television is a distant image. Their job is to report based on flimsy facts. Why the hell are their giving their opinion? Someone said it looks like what has been happening in Jammu and Kashmir. What has been happening? AK-47 rifles? Grenades? No one heard of this before? They say these are the Fidayeen because they are willing to die. Every terrorist is. From every country and with any affiliation. Not everyone is smart enough to plan a whole operation and get members of another community to plant bombs.
- Do not let rumours run havoc and reach conclusions. Mobile phones are working.
- Politicians please stay out of this until things are a bit under control. We do not have the resources to take care of your security. There is no need for Advani to rush from Delhi; the BJP government is not in power here.
- Do not pay any attention to expats. They know zilch. They resort to half-baked truths if not outright lies. They are trying to connect with their roots and feel a part of the action. They are a sorry group of disgruntled people who create more fissures; they sponsor religious organisations; they start the blame game. Mumbai and India are not yours. Get that in your heads. Right now.
Your two-bit donations to some organisations do not make you Indian. Your stupid nostalgia for films and streets does not make you Indian.
And your analysis of the ground realities do not count, so shut up and stay out of this.
I can comment on the police, the army, the law enforcement authorities, the government because I am paying for their upkeep. I can comment on the citizens of my country, wherever they are and whoever they are and whatever I feel about them, because they are mine.
I can question them, but not judge them.
I have not asked any Hindu to condemn the role of sadhus and sadhvis. I have not asked the armymen to condemn the role of some armyman. I have not asked anyone to condemn Narendra Modi or Bal Thackeray.
Because I know that anyone can do that. I also know that most people want to go about their lives in peace and are being brainwashed.
I have not talked about the beautiful dome of the Taj Mahal Hotel. Why do these idiots not condemn those who have been weeping over it? Do you know that the hotel sent out a message that it is doing everything to protect its guests and staff and will bring the Taj back “to its former glory”? What kind if statement is this at such a time?
Who wants to see the fucking dome? Who? Some NRIs? Foreigners?
Yes, I go to that hotel. Yes, I visit the Sea Lounge. Yes. Yes. I am not their only patron. They make money because several Indians eat there, have coffee there. I am not asking the Government of India to sponsor my coffee. I am not asking some foreign agency to sponsor my coffee. I am not sponging on anyone. I am paying for my own coffee.
And don’t give me that crap about how India allows me to do so. India gains as much to benefit from my being its citizen as I do from being an Indian.
The day I renege on my tax payments or commit a default or crime, then the Indian courts can take action against me. No one has the right to question my nationality or my motives or of any members of any community only because you think the terrorists owe allegiance to a certain religion.
Certainly not those who stood in line to get their special visas to run away from my country.
Mumbai will survive and I am glad that the NRIs are not here. They do not deserve India.
India, good and bad, will be questioned by me. I will not turn a blind eye to its flaws. Because unlike you who come here for your annual vacation and take pictures of debris, I talk about cleaning it. I know I don’t live close to it, but the people I care about do. People who earn an honest living do.
Our helper took the local train and came to work this morning. She watched a bit of TV with me. She did not want to know whether I have condemned the act. That thought did not even strike her. I won’t mention her religion. For neither of us is that detail important.
It has been barely over 15 hours and everyone has turned into an expert.
I live in Mumbai. I know each one of these places.
This is the list:
Cama Hospital, GT hospital, CST (formerly VT) rail terminus; Taj Hotel at the Gateway, Oberoi Trident at Nariman Point, Nariman House Colaba, the domestic airport at Santa Cruz, the Metro Adlabs multiplex and Mazagaon Dockyard, Vile Parle.
Already, theories are being thrown around. It is disconcerting but unavoidable that the newspapers that came in late, naturally to front page this story, carried on its second page information about the Malegaon blasts in which there was this news item:
“Interrogation of Sudhakar Dwivedi alias Dayanand Pandey, who is in police custody till December 1, has revealed that the group was working to create an ‘Aryavarta Rashtra’ in India,’’ an ATS official said. talked about creating a Hindu Rashtra.
It is easy to put two and two together. After all, the ATS chief who was investigating that case has been killed, so have two other officers. And 14 policemen.
It is easy to say a lot of things. How could a boat filled with arms and grenades manage to get in? They are now insinuating the role of the underworld (something I mentioned during the attacks in other cities), but what does it say about our intelligence agencies? That arms can come in as easily by the underworld as narcotics?
What do the news channels mean when they say two terrorists were chased out of GT Hospital? Were they flies that they were chased out? Should not the security personnel have run after them and caught them or even shot at them and extracted information?
And then people want me to condemn the attack.
I won’t. I won’t because I will not dismiss off a tragedy, and the sick face of society, in one sentence. I won’t because every leader from the ruling party does it and means shit. I won’t because Opposition parties do it and mean shit. I won’t because groups as diverse as media gods and maulanas gather to condemn it and mean shit. I won’t because even those who we suspect as the outside hand condemn it and mean shit. I won’t because terrorist organisations rush to take responsibility for such acts and the ones who don’t condemn it and mean shit.
I won’t because I am not upto shit.
But I will make a few suggestions:
- Blog groups have sprung up; in the past some have been helpful in providing information. Let them not become another source of sensationalism. They have limited information because most areas are under curfew. Yes, they might be helpful for helplines and blood donation requests etc.
- The media is being kept at a distance, so what you watch on television is a distant image. Their job is to report based on flimsy facts. Why the hell are their giving their opinion? Someone said it looks like what has been happening in Jammu and Kashmir. What has been happening? AK-47 rifles? Grenades? No one heard of this before? They say these are the Fidayeen because they are willing to die. Every terrorist is. From every country and with any affiliation. Not everyone is smart enough to plan a whole operation and get members of another community to plant bombs.
- Do not let rumours run havoc and reach conclusions. Mobile phones are working.
- Politicians please stay out of this until things are a bit under control. We do not have the resources to take care of your security. There is no need for Advani to rush from Delhi; the BJP government is not in power here.
- Do not pay any attention to expats. They know zilch. They resort to half-baked truths if not outright lies. They are trying to connect with their roots and feel a part of the action. They are a sorry group of disgruntled people who create more fissures; they sponsor religious organisations; they start the blame game. Mumbai and India are not yours. Get that in your heads. Right now.
Your two-bit donations to some organisations do not make you Indian. Your stupid nostalgia for films and streets does not make you Indian.
And your analysis of the ground realities do not count, so shut up and stay out of this.
I can comment on the police, the army, the law enforcement authorities, the government because I am paying for their upkeep. I can comment on the citizens of my country, wherever they are and whoever they are and whatever I feel about them, because they are mine.
I can question them, but not judge them.
I have not asked any Hindu to condemn the role of sadhus and sadhvis. I have not asked the armymen to condemn the role of some armyman. I have not asked anyone to condemn Narendra Modi or Bal Thackeray.
Because I know that anyone can do that. I also know that most people want to go about their lives in peace and are being brainwashed.
I have not talked about the beautiful dome of the Taj Mahal Hotel. Why do these idiots not condemn those who have been weeping over it? Do you know that the hotel sent out a message that it is doing everything to protect its guests and staff and will bring the Taj back “to its former glory”? What kind if statement is this at such a time?
Who wants to see the fucking dome? Who? Some NRIs? Foreigners?
Yes, I go to that hotel. Yes, I visit the Sea Lounge. Yes. Yes. I am not their only patron. They make money because several Indians eat there, have coffee there. I am not asking the Government of India to sponsor my coffee. I am not asking some foreign agency to sponsor my coffee. I am not sponging on anyone. I am paying for my own coffee.
And don’t give me that crap about how India allows me to do so. India gains as much to benefit from my being its citizen as I do from being an Indian.
The day I renege on my tax payments or commit a default or crime, then the Indian courts can take action against me. No one has the right to question my nationality or my motives or of any members of any community only because you think the terrorists owe allegiance to a certain religion.
Certainly not those who stood in line to get their special visas to run away from my country.
Mumbai will survive and I am glad that the NRIs are not here. They do not deserve India.
India, good and bad, will be questioned by me. I will not turn a blind eye to its flaws. Because unlike you who come here for your annual vacation and take pictures of debris, I talk about cleaning it. I know I don’t live close to it, but the people I care about do. People who earn an honest living do.
Our helper took the local train and came to work this morning. She watched a bit of TV with me. She did not want to know whether I have condemned the act. That thought did not even strike her. I won’t mention her religion. For neither of us is that detail important.
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