Adil Najam
I, too, am a Mumbaikar today.
I wish I could reach out and for just one moment hold the hands of the woman in this AP photograph. Maybe shed some tears on her shoulder. But I do not know what I would say to her. I do not think she would want me to say much. The expression on her face matches the feeling I have at the pit of my stomach and in the depth of my heart. I think - I hope - that she would understand how I feel. I can only imagine what she is going through.
And so, in prayer and in solidarity, I stand today with Mumbaikars everywhere. In shock at what has happened. In fear of what might happen yet. In anger at those who would be so calculated in their inhuman massacre. In sympathy with those whose pain so hurts my own heart but whose tears I cannot touch, whose wounds I cannot heal, and whose grief I cannot relieve.
The solidarity I feel with Mumbaikars is deep and personal.
The first time I ever visited the Taj Mahal Hotel was with my wife. We had been married just weeks and were not staying at the Taj but went to the historic “Sea Lounge” at the hotel for tea and snacks during a short visit to Mumbai. We went to the Oberoi Hotel the same visit in the naive and mistaken belief that we would find Bollywood bigwigs hanging out there. In later years I would come back and stay at the old wing of the Taj - down the corridor from where Ruttie Bai Jinnah and stayed - I would even present in the grand ballroom whose pillars, supposedly, had been brought from her father’s estate. Each time I passed through Victoria Terminus I stood in awe of the pace as well as its presence. In awe of the architectural structure, but also of the sea of humanity around me. I cannot hear of terrorists attacking these places without my own muscles twitching in anger.
But my feeling of solidarity with Mumbaikars is much much more personal than these few fleeting visits over many years. Deeply etched into me are the horrific echoes of 9/11 in New York and the string of terrorist attacks on Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and all over Pakistan whose reports have become all too familiar - but never bearable - on this blog. I know what living with terror feels like. I have thought too much and too deeply about what it feels like to be the target of violence propelled by hatred. I know the pain of helplessness one feels as one stands stunned in grief, wanting so desperately to do something - anything - but not knowing what to do. This is why I identify with the expression on the face of the woman in this picture. This is why, like so many others in the world, today I too am a Mumbaikar.
This is why I stand with Mumbaikars everywhere, in prayer and in solidarity. At a loss for words but with an urge to speak out. My words of condemnation will not change the actions of those who have committed such heinous murder and mayhem. Nor will my words of sympathy diminish the agony of the victims. But speak out I must. In condemnation as well as in sympathy. To speak against the inhumanity of hatred and violence. To speak for the humanity in all of us that we all must hold on to; especially in the testing moments of grave stress.
But, today, I have no words of analysis. What words can make sense of the patently senseless? I do not know who did this. Nor can I imagine any cause that would justify this. But this I know: No matter who did this, no matter why, the terror that has been wrought in Mumbai is vile and inhuman and unjustifiable. And, for the sake of our own humanness, we must speak out against it.
And, so, to any Mumbaikar who might be listening, I say: “I stand with you today. In prayer and in solidarity.”
I think the simple message Jyoti has sent needs to be seriously considered by both the AWAM and Govts of both the countries.
Secondly if both the Govts. are serious and sincere the veracity of the confessionists statement can be easily verified.The Govts should be honest enough to share their findings with the public ending endless speculation.After that real statesmanship is required to recognise the compulsions of each country and move in a coordinated effort.Let us forget the polemics and for once be cooperative.The matter is far too important.Lamho ki galtiyo se sadiyo ne saza payi hai.
This is a plot to take reduce Pakistan’s military and eventually seize Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. The US asks Pakistan to “help out” in the tribal areas, and this has left the Pakistan-India border vulnerable. And this attack in India has given the Indians an excuse to start something against Pakistan. Just like the US is invading Pakistani soil in the north, India may be looking for excuses to come in from the east.
It’s a plot to seize Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. The US Congress are planning that right now: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/04/terror ism-nuclear-attack-congress-report
And if that happened, Pakistan would be on its way to the history books. Unless Pakistan wakes up now. Wake up!! Oh wait, it’s too late, go back to sleep. Pakistan effectively sealed its fate when it allowed the US to take Afghanistan.
This is two part series of a very enlightening interview from Amaresh Misra, a renowned historian, an activist who witnessed the tragic events in Mumbai. He has a very different view of the things occurred.
He is one the few voices who were not given much coverage by the “Pseudo Secular” Indian media.
He brought some interesting insights into the tragedy:
1. The mysterious circumstances under which the ATS Chief Karatke and the top brass was wiped out.
2. The number of muslims killed which are around 30.
3. The mystery behind Nariman House and his inside scoop on this place.
4. The identity of Terrorists.
Part 2 : Contains remaining part of the interview and then Ahmad Qureshi from Islamabad talks about the Pakistani perspective and the remaining part of the program. http://www.archive.org/details/AbnExclusi vePresentation-AnInterviewWithAmareshMisraAndAhmad Qureshi
Do ki larayee me teesare ki bhalayee.. Terrosists inflict injury on India, India gets angry with Pakistan, Pakistan gets more angry with India, media pours more ghee in this aag.. chain reaction sets in.. both countries bicker, terrosist laugh.
Now they are waiting for the two countries to inflict wounds on each other so that when both deplete their resources against each-other instaed of against terrosim, the terrosists strike and kill both the nations..
Isn’t that’s what is happening?
@ashok great article thanks for post
Pakistanis,Please read this
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/opinion/03friedm an.html?_r=1
The attached link presents an excellent analysis of the how we got to this point, though I disagree with some assertions made in the article about Muslims wanting to gain back the rule.
It is fair to state that all God fearing, decent people of the sub-continent want to restore basic human rights regardless of religion or creed. Without justice, peace is only a fantasy of the fools!
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1862 650,00.html
@ Tariq
I know very well that the majority of the people of Pakistan want peace and love. As do the majority of people anywhere on earth. I do not make this a Muslim issue as I know it is not a Muslim issue. I am an Indian and I interact with Muslims on a daily basis. Sounds cheesy but some of the best people I know and friends I have are Muslim. I only have qualms with any human being thinking they are better then another in any way. Be it is cast, clan, religion or region. I hope from the bottom of my heart that in the coming few years Pakistan transforms into a truly democratic, secular, free and enlightened society. I for one will applaud any steps the people and government of Pakistan takes in this direction. I have a young daughter she (not yet 2) is in Delhi at the moment. I want her and all to feel safe. I want to have a prosperous and safe future in India I hope to visit Pakistan in the future and walk around free and without fear. My wife has visited Pakistan and only had good things to say about the people. My family was from Sialkot originally. India has so many problems that need fixing I strive to address those. Animosity from across the borders is another thorn that has to be removed.
I hope all the People of Pakistan understand that the only place an enemy lies is within a persons own heart. Nothing that has been said or written by the hand of man in any form is above the love that lies in all human hearts.