Mumbai, 27/11/2008. It's an attack on us. We must fight back. But who are "Us and We" ? and who are "They" ?
My brother lives in Mumbai, and works 5 mins away from the Oberoi. As a knee jerk reaction, I called him, and only when I was assured of his and his family's safety, I could think of anything else. The first "us" is family.
But the next? The wider ? I feel and write this not as a Hindu or Indian. I write it as a human being. as an earthling. I feel as if demons have descended on us from another planet... It is hard to believe that a fellow human being can do any act as
ghastly as this on anyone else!!!
Killing people totally innocent , just to get figures... to make impact, to underline a statement, and to grab attention - which religion teaches this? Which religion can possibly advocate massacre the likes of which is seen in Mumbai ?
I think of people sitting in CST waiting room, roaming on platforms, waiting outside a cafe, sipping coffee in restaurants, or strolling in hotel lobbies. These people have lives!! people who were killed, just as if they meant nothing. They meant
everything, everything to their families! Each one of these people had a thousand dreams, a thousand acquaintances, a thousand colours, and loves, and a thousand lives they touched! How can you, in name of a faith, cut these thousand threads of affection by one bullet?? What explanation can a terrorist give to a mother? Can revenge be an answer enough to life long tears? Can hatred be an excuse enough to a torn life?
I know not if I'm angry at feeling helpless, or helpless about feeling angry. I know not if this will be enough for us to start building a safeguard around us. I know not what is 'us' and what is the safeguard ? I know only, that I am ready to be included in any "us" that promotes love, peace and tranquiility in my Earth. And I know that hatred and Revenge are my enemies. Even against people who are commiting these horrendous acts...
It is probably better to be animals. They are not tied up in chains of religion that takes away the ability of seeing your own species as your own.
