Does Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayiba Chief Hafeez Mohammed Saeed need a lesson or two on the life history of his nation's founder, Mohammed Ali Jinnah? It appears so as Saeed, who heads Jamaat-ul-Dawa, alleged by India as parent organisation of LeT, has mentioned that Jinnah was 'murdered' while the fact is that he died after prolonged illness.
In an interview to Outlook weekly Magazine, Saeed made this grave error while replying to a question seeking his reaction to India's demand for his extradition.
'It's actually a crude attempt to divert the attention of Indian people from their massive security and intelligence failure that led to the Mumbai attacks. Jamaat-ul-Dawa is all about relief. I have never been convicted either in India or Pakistan.
'On the other hand, a criminal case is still pending in Hyderabad (Pakistan), Sindh, against BJP leader L K Advani for masterminding the murder of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, but Pakistan never demanded his extradition,' he said, blissfully unaware that Jinnah died of tuberculosis and lung cancer in 1948.
New Delhi has accused Saeed and Lashkar of being behind several terror strikes in India, including the recent one in Mumbai that left over 180 people dead.
He also attempted to distance Jamaat-ul-Dawa from any terrorist related activities and termed as 'very unfortunate' if India decided to carry out an air strike at its headquarters at Muridkee.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
नेताओं की सिक्यूरिटी पर खर्च होते हैं 250 करोड़
आपको यह जानकार हैरानी होगी कि पब्लिक के बीच स्टेटस चाहने वाले नेताओं की सुरक्षा में एंटी टेरर एनएसजी क्रैक फोर्स के 1700 जवान तैनात हैं। यानी जिन जवानों को आतंकवाद के खिलाफ लड़ने के लिए ट्रेंड किया गया है वे नेताओं की हिफाजत में दिन-रात जुटे रहते हैं। आप जो अपना टैक्स चुकाते हैं, उसमें से एक बड़ी राशि ( 250 करोड़ रुपये) इन नेताओं की सुरक्षा पर खर्च हो जाती है। इनमें किसी एक पार्टी का नेता शामिल नहीं है, सिक्यूरिटी लेने के मामले में सभी नेताओं में भाईचारा है।
जिन वीआईपी लोगों की सुरक्षा पर यह मोटी रकम खर्च की जाती है, उसमें पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री देवगौड़ा से लेकर अमर सिंह, रामविलास पासवान, सज्जन कुमार, बी. एल. जोशी, आर. एल. भाटिया, शरद यादव, रामेश्वर ठाकुर, ई. अहमद, मुरली मनोहर जोशी, बृजभूषण शरण और प्रमोद तिवारी जैसे नेता हैं। इन लोगों को यह सुरक्षा इसलिए दी गई हैं कि इनकी जिंदगी खतरे में है। यहां पर यह सवाल सहज ही उठता है कि जिन सज्जन कुमार को यह सुरक्षा मिली हुई है, उनके खिलाफ हत्या के मामले चल रहे हैं।
बड़े पैमाने पर वीआईपी सिक्यूरिटी मुहैया कराने का नतीजा यह निकला है कि जिन्हें आतंकवादी विरोधी गतिविधियों के लिए तैयार किया था, वे अब राइफल लेकर किसी खादी वाले की सुरक्षा में लगे हुए हैं। विमान अपहरण पर कार्रवाई करने और एंटी टेरर ऑपरेशंस के लिए 1984 में नैशनल सिक्यूरिटी गार्ड्स (एनएसजी) का गठन किया गया था। एनएसजी के 2 विंग बनाए गए, जिसे स्पेशल ऐक्शन ग्रुप (एसएजी) और स्पेशल रेंजर्स ग्रुप (एसआरजी) नाम दिया गया। एसएजी में सेना के जवानों को डेपुटेशन पर भेजा जाता है जबकि एसआरजी में आईटीबीपी, सीआईएसएफ, सीआरपीएफ, बीएसएफ और एसएसबी के जवान डेपुटेशन पर भेजे जाते हैं। इसी एसआरजी में से आधे से ज्यादा जवानों को वीआईपी सिक्यूरिटी में लगा दिया गया है।
यहां बता दें कि स्पेशल प्रोटक्शन ग्रुप यानी एसपीजी सिर्फ प्रधानमंत्री, पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री और गांधी परिवार की सुरक्षा के लिए है। यहां यह तथ्य बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है कि एसपीजी का बजट वित्त वर्ष 2008-09 के लिए 180 करोड़ है जबकि पिछले वित्त वर्ष में यह 117 करोड़ था। वहीं एनएसजी, जिस पर देश के एक अरब लोगों की सुरक्षा की जिम्मेदारी है उसका बजट वित्त वर्ष 2008-09 के लिए 158 करोड़ है जो पिछले वित्त वर्ष से कम है। पिछले वित्त वर्ष में उसका बजट 159 करोड़ रुपये मंजूर किया गया था।
इन तमाम सुरक्षा कवच के अलावा राज्यों की पुलिस भी वीआईपी सुरक्षा में लगी होती है। अकेले दिल्ली में ही 14,200 पुलिसकर्मी 24 घंटे वीआईपी सिक्यूरिटी में लगे रहते हैं।
जितने भी लेवल की सुरक्षा वीआईपी लोगों के पास होती है, उन सभी वाहनों पर रेड लाइट लगी होती है और ये लोग अक्सर ट्रैफिक में आम आदमी के लिए परेशानी का सबब बनते हैं। यही वजह है कि हाल ही में दिल्ली हाई कोर्ट ने नेताओं की सुरक्षा पर टिप्पणी करते हुए कहा था कि ये लोग कोई राष्ट्रीय धरोहर तो हैं नहीं जो इनकी सुरक्षा करने की जरूरत है।
राहुल त्रिपाठी कार्तिकेय
जिन वीआईपी लोगों की सुरक्षा पर यह मोटी रकम खर्च की जाती है, उसमें पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री देवगौड़ा से लेकर अमर सिंह, रामविलास पासवान, सज्जन कुमार, बी. एल. जोशी, आर. एल. भाटिया, शरद यादव, रामेश्वर ठाकुर, ई. अहमद, मुरली मनोहर जोशी, बृजभूषण शरण और प्रमोद तिवारी जैसे नेता हैं। इन लोगों को यह सुरक्षा इसलिए दी गई हैं कि इनकी जिंदगी खतरे में है। यहां पर यह सवाल सहज ही उठता है कि जिन सज्जन कुमार को यह सुरक्षा मिली हुई है, उनके खिलाफ हत्या के मामले चल रहे हैं।
बड़े पैमाने पर वीआईपी सिक्यूरिटी मुहैया कराने का नतीजा यह निकला है कि जिन्हें आतंकवादी विरोधी गतिविधियों के लिए तैयार किया था, वे अब राइफल लेकर किसी खादी वाले की सुरक्षा में लगे हुए हैं। विमान अपहरण पर कार्रवाई करने और एंटी टेरर ऑपरेशंस के लिए 1984 में नैशनल सिक्यूरिटी गार्ड्स (एनएसजी) का गठन किया गया था। एनएसजी के 2 विंग बनाए गए, जिसे स्पेशल ऐक्शन ग्रुप (एसएजी) और स्पेशल रेंजर्स ग्रुप (एसआरजी) नाम दिया गया। एसएजी में सेना के जवानों को डेपुटेशन पर भेजा जाता है जबकि एसआरजी में आईटीबीपी, सीआईएसएफ, सीआरपीएफ, बीएसएफ और एसएसबी के जवान डेपुटेशन पर भेजे जाते हैं। इसी एसआरजी में से आधे से ज्यादा जवानों को वीआईपी सिक्यूरिटी में लगा दिया गया है।
यहां बता दें कि स्पेशल प्रोटक्शन ग्रुप यानी एसपीजी सिर्फ प्रधानमंत्री, पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री और गांधी परिवार की सुरक्षा के लिए है। यहां यह तथ्य बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है कि एसपीजी का बजट वित्त वर्ष 2008-09 के लिए 180 करोड़ है जबकि पिछले वित्त वर्ष में यह 117 करोड़ था। वहीं एनएसजी, जिस पर देश के एक अरब लोगों की सुरक्षा की जिम्मेदारी है उसका बजट वित्त वर्ष 2008-09 के लिए 158 करोड़ है जो पिछले वित्त वर्ष से कम है। पिछले वित्त वर्ष में उसका बजट 159 करोड़ रुपये मंजूर किया गया था।
इन तमाम सुरक्षा कवच के अलावा राज्यों की पुलिस भी वीआईपी सुरक्षा में लगी होती है। अकेले दिल्ली में ही 14,200 पुलिसकर्मी 24 घंटे वीआईपी सिक्यूरिटी में लगे रहते हैं।
जितने भी लेवल की सुरक्षा वीआईपी लोगों के पास होती है, उन सभी वाहनों पर रेड लाइट लगी होती है और ये लोग अक्सर ट्रैफिक में आम आदमी के लिए परेशानी का सबब बनते हैं। यही वजह है कि हाल ही में दिल्ली हाई कोर्ट ने नेताओं की सुरक्षा पर टिप्पणी करते हुए कहा था कि ये लोग कोई राष्ट्रीय धरोहर तो हैं नहीं जो इनकी सुरक्षा करने की जरूरत है।
राहुल त्रिपाठी कार्तिकेय
The obvious battlefield is Pakistan
December 03, 2008
The British nearly gave up war in Afghanistan recently and instead wanted dialogue with Al Qaeda. Washington termed it defeatist and subsequently London rescinded the suggestion. The stalemate in the war on terrorism continued.
The breed of Inherently Helpless Indians tells me repeatedly that "even the West led by America could not smash the terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq -- how can a country like India win?"
Untrue. With the right strategy this war can be won decisively.
Frankly, Al Qaeda and the Taliban combine cannot win the war. They don't have the means. The jihad groups have no naval or air forces. No missile force either. They do have a slackly held guerrilla army that boasts of weapons with limited range and some quantities of explosives. Their satellite phones and other modest wireless systems are susceptible to interception, consequently a big constraint. These outfits do not boast of surveillance and intelligence gathering capabilities through satellites or UAVs.
In practical terms they have no reach. Al Qaeda, the Taliban or similar groups can only cause damage or destruction to contact targets and its immediate periphery which is woefully inadequate to topple a regime -- a prerequisite for victory. Kabul remains with Karzai, though at a cost, while Washington, Paris, and London continue to conduct international business unaffected.
Yet, Al Qaeda and the Taliban for years have managed to create a deadlock against the best equipped and trained forces of the first world on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Why?
On multiple counts the war waged by the Bush administration was borne out of unsound principles. First, fighting on two fronts simultaneously created division of resources between Iraq and Afghanistan. It resulted in shortage of the necessary numbers of boots on ground, so vital while fighting a guerrilla force in the Afghan-Pakistan region.
Second, if the alliances that forge preponderance in the international affairs are broken, victory will elude. The Western alliance, which is the statement of the American might, was rebuffed in Iraq. Washington in its unilateral stubbornness opened the second front, throwing to winds the sane strategic advice of its partners. The invasion of Iraq, if ever necessary, should have taken place after consolidation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan front. The victory in the Afghanistan-Pakistan area in any case would be sufficient to put other players in the region on notice.
Washington disregarded its Western alliance partners in invading Iraq, considered an unjust war by rest of the world. It in effect united the various jihad outfits in different parts of the world. Most of these groups that lacked potency till then, appeared formidable by coming together. Thus, in the last eight years, the sum of parts of the radical Islam lent an appearance of more than the total.
Third, the extraordinary rise in the oil prices not only boosted the old adversary but also added new rivals soaked in the wealth of petro-dollars. Also billions of dollars wasted in the Iraq war is significantly responsible for the current economic misery.
Last, the biggest folly was to trust Islamabad. At the time of invasion of Iraq, I cautioned the former American ambassador in a gathering at New Delhi that the "United States and its allies cannot win in Afghanistan since they have the lock (Afghanistan) but cannot unlock it as they do not have the key (Pakistan) under their control."
Even today many with the Cold War mindset in the international media wrongly advocate that Kashmir should be resolved -- implying India should resolve it in favour of Pakistan. I would say it is a misplaced approach with counter-productive ramifications. With Asia becoming more and more authoritarian, with Communist China rapidly expanding its influence, with Islamic fundamentalists all over and rearing their heads in Malaysia, with Maoists in control of Kathmandu, and with military dictatorship emerging in Bangladesh, the only option is to expand the influence of the democracies.
Instead of trying to sap New Delhi's will by such proposals, the other democracies should stand by to support spread of democratic set up in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Handing over Kashmir on the platter to Pakistan will definitely result in another Talibanised and brutal adversary in the neighborhood. Such a step is neither in the interest of multi-cultural India or other democracies.
It is time for Washington to shift gears to win the war!
A few years ago, a Democrat when told in a private conversation that "America cannot win on both fronts," wanted to know the way out. I said: "Since the objective is to decisively defeat radical Islam and not Islamic nations or populations, the Iraq front should be wound up rapidly despite the likely disintegration. Quickly redeploy and concentrate these surplus forces in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. That is the laboratory of radical Islam and its destruction is central to winning this war."
If the epicentre is busted, the various parts in temporary and weak unity are bound to lose teeth and fall apart. This will reduce terrorism to a localised law and order problem.
The next terrorist attack against the United States or the European Union will be planned and executed in all likelihood from the Afghanistan-Pakistan. region.
Similarly, if ever a nuclear attack through a dirty bomb becomes a reality in the West, it will be handiwork of Pakistan. The West needs to look at the radicalisation inside the Pakistan army and the ISI and work out methods to defang them. For a decisive victory, America will require the unqualified support of its alliance partners. India's support in addition will play a critical role too.
It is also time for New Delhi to rapidly shift gears. Pacifist philosophies may be good for the individual's soul, but are suicidal for nation's security. New Delhi should learn to fight its own wars instead of expecting others to do its dirty work.
To win the war is more crucial for us than the West as the very survival of the Union of India depends on it. While the United States is geographically insulated and located in safe haven, India is not. Pakistan and Bangladesh export radical Islam to India in an effort to destabilise it. China funds movements like Gorkhaland and instigates its proxies. The borders are kept on the boil between China and its proxies while Bangladesh and Pakistan continue to implode India through terrorist acts with impunity. India remains under siege.
New Delhi needs to work out its long-term option with clarity, objectivity and decisiveness in view of the extremely hostile 14,000 kilometres of borders. The other critical element is the substantial Islamic population in India that certain external forces want radicalised to create civil strife. Honestly speaking, given the internal and external security imperatives, non-governance is not an option for New Delhi.
It is often said that nations do not have permanent friends, only permanent interests. In reality, all nations are adversarial to each other. The degree may vary. If national interests demand synergy, they may combine resources for mutual benefit to an optimum period. The synergy to destabilise India by covert means is evident in the collusion between authoritarian regimes of China, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Radical Islam wants to establish a Caliphate while Beijing is determined to tie down New Delhi to ensure its unrivalled top dog status in Asia.
Since they are neighbours, India needs to engage them as constructively as possible, even as they remain inimical to India's interests in many ways. However, they can be dealt from a position of strength alone. This is only possible if we acquire the requisite diplomatic, economic and military prowess.
Therefore, grand strategy dictates that since multiple adversaries on our borders are in collusion with each other and pose a combined threat, we should form an alliance with lesser adversary who believes in democracy and are not our neighbours. Today with radical Islam threatening all democracies, there is implicit synergy and commonality of purpose between the West and us that can help each other in variety of ways. Thus, India can gain a larger say in international affairs and develop sufficient economic and military clout to deal confidently with the near abroad.
But in creating alliances, New Delhi must watch its flanks. The recent campaign in the media to jettison Kashmir appears to be orchestrated by external powers to weaken the Union. These games will always be played as the existing hierarchy never wants too many crowding the high table.
In the past eight years, poor generalship in Washington, Brussels and New Delhi is responsible for the resurgence of Al Qaeda and Taliban. However, this war is decisively winnable if the battlefield is correctly identified. The obvious battlefield is Pakistan. It is time, democracies face this simple reality.
Bharat Verma is the Editor, Indian Defence Review
The British nearly gave up war in Afghanistan recently and instead wanted dialogue with Al Qaeda. Washington termed it defeatist and subsequently London rescinded the suggestion. The stalemate in the war on terrorism continued.
The breed of Inherently Helpless Indians tells me repeatedly that "even the West led by America could not smash the terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq -- how can a country like India win?"
Untrue. With the right strategy this war can be won decisively.
Frankly, Al Qaeda and the Taliban combine cannot win the war. They don't have the means. The jihad groups have no naval or air forces. No missile force either. They do have a slackly held guerrilla army that boasts of weapons with limited range and some quantities of explosives. Their satellite phones and other modest wireless systems are susceptible to interception, consequently a big constraint. These outfits do not boast of surveillance and intelligence gathering capabilities through satellites or UAVs.
In practical terms they have no reach. Al Qaeda, the Taliban or similar groups can only cause damage or destruction to contact targets and its immediate periphery which is woefully inadequate to topple a regime -- a prerequisite for victory. Kabul remains with Karzai, though at a cost, while Washington, Paris, and London continue to conduct international business unaffected.
Yet, Al Qaeda and the Taliban for years have managed to create a deadlock against the best equipped and trained forces of the first world on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Why?
On multiple counts the war waged by the Bush administration was borne out of unsound principles. First, fighting on two fronts simultaneously created division of resources between Iraq and Afghanistan. It resulted in shortage of the necessary numbers of boots on ground, so vital while fighting a guerrilla force in the Afghan-Pakistan region.
Second, if the alliances that forge preponderance in the international affairs are broken, victory will elude. The Western alliance, which is the statement of the American might, was rebuffed in Iraq. Washington in its unilateral stubbornness opened the second front, throwing to winds the sane strategic advice of its partners. The invasion of Iraq, if ever necessary, should have taken place after consolidation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan front. The victory in the Afghanistan-Pakistan area in any case would be sufficient to put other players in the region on notice.
Washington disregarded its Western alliance partners in invading Iraq, considered an unjust war by rest of the world. It in effect united the various jihad outfits in different parts of the world. Most of these groups that lacked potency till then, appeared formidable by coming together. Thus, in the last eight years, the sum of parts of the radical Islam lent an appearance of more than the total.
Third, the extraordinary rise in the oil prices not only boosted the old adversary but also added new rivals soaked in the wealth of petro-dollars. Also billions of dollars wasted in the Iraq war is significantly responsible for the current economic misery.
Last, the biggest folly was to trust Islamabad. At the time of invasion of Iraq, I cautioned the former American ambassador in a gathering at New Delhi that the "United States and its allies cannot win in Afghanistan since they have the lock (Afghanistan) but cannot unlock it as they do not have the key (Pakistan) under their control."
Even today many with the Cold War mindset in the international media wrongly advocate that Kashmir should be resolved -- implying India should resolve it in favour of Pakistan. I would say it is a misplaced approach with counter-productive ramifications. With Asia becoming more and more authoritarian, with Communist China rapidly expanding its influence, with Islamic fundamentalists all over and rearing their heads in Malaysia, with Maoists in control of Kathmandu, and with military dictatorship emerging in Bangladesh, the only option is to expand the influence of the democracies.
Instead of trying to sap New Delhi's will by such proposals, the other democracies should stand by to support spread of democratic set up in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Handing over Kashmir on the platter to Pakistan will definitely result in another Talibanised and brutal adversary in the neighborhood. Such a step is neither in the interest of multi-cultural India or other democracies.
It is time for Washington to shift gears to win the war!
A few years ago, a Democrat when told in a private conversation that "America cannot win on both fronts," wanted to know the way out. I said: "Since the objective is to decisively defeat radical Islam and not Islamic nations or populations, the Iraq front should be wound up rapidly despite the likely disintegration. Quickly redeploy and concentrate these surplus forces in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. That is the laboratory of radical Islam and its destruction is central to winning this war."
If the epicentre is busted, the various parts in temporary and weak unity are bound to lose teeth and fall apart. This will reduce terrorism to a localised law and order problem.
The next terrorist attack against the United States or the European Union will be planned and executed in all likelihood from the Afghanistan-Pakistan. region.
Similarly, if ever a nuclear attack through a dirty bomb becomes a reality in the West, it will be handiwork of Pakistan. The West needs to look at the radicalisation inside the Pakistan army and the ISI and work out methods to defang them. For a decisive victory, America will require the unqualified support of its alliance partners. India's support in addition will play a critical role too.
It is also time for New Delhi to rapidly shift gears. Pacifist philosophies may be good for the individual's soul, but are suicidal for nation's security. New Delhi should learn to fight its own wars instead of expecting others to do its dirty work.
To win the war is more crucial for us than the West as the very survival of the Union of India depends on it. While the United States is geographically insulated and located in safe haven, India is not. Pakistan and Bangladesh export radical Islam to India in an effort to destabilise it. China funds movements like Gorkhaland and instigates its proxies. The borders are kept on the boil between China and its proxies while Bangladesh and Pakistan continue to implode India through terrorist acts with impunity. India remains under siege.
New Delhi needs to work out its long-term option with clarity, objectivity and decisiveness in view of the extremely hostile 14,000 kilometres of borders. The other critical element is the substantial Islamic population in India that certain external forces want radicalised to create civil strife. Honestly speaking, given the internal and external security imperatives, non-governance is not an option for New Delhi.
It is often said that nations do not have permanent friends, only permanent interests. In reality, all nations are adversarial to each other. The degree may vary. If national interests demand synergy, they may combine resources for mutual benefit to an optimum period. The synergy to destabilise India by covert means is evident in the collusion between authoritarian regimes of China, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Radical Islam wants to establish a Caliphate while Beijing is determined to tie down New Delhi to ensure its unrivalled top dog status in Asia.
Since they are neighbours, India needs to engage them as constructively as possible, even as they remain inimical to India's interests in many ways. However, they can be dealt from a position of strength alone. This is only possible if we acquire the requisite diplomatic, economic and military prowess.
Therefore, grand strategy dictates that since multiple adversaries on our borders are in collusion with each other and pose a combined threat, we should form an alliance with lesser adversary who believes in democracy and are not our neighbours. Today with radical Islam threatening all democracies, there is implicit synergy and commonality of purpose between the West and us that can help each other in variety of ways. Thus, India can gain a larger say in international affairs and develop sufficient economic and military clout to deal confidently with the near abroad.
But in creating alliances, New Delhi must watch its flanks. The recent campaign in the media to jettison Kashmir appears to be orchestrated by external powers to weaken the Union. These games will always be played as the existing hierarchy never wants too many crowding the high table.
In the past eight years, poor generalship in Washington, Brussels and New Delhi is responsible for the resurgence of Al Qaeda and Taliban. However, this war is decisively winnable if the battlefield is correctly identified. The obvious battlefield is Pakistan. It is time, democracies face this simple reality.
Bharat Verma is the Editor, Indian Defence Review
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Remove politicians' security. Now!
Sudarshana Dwivedi
December 03, 2008
I am scared.
Scared of venturing out, scared of the unknown terror lurking somewhere -- on the train, in the taxi, in the mall, at the theatre. Of a person brushing against me in a crowded area or lift.
Scared whether I will return in one piece -- or return at all -- every time I leave the safety of my home.
More than myself, I am scared whenever a loved one steps out. I am tense and pray until they all come back. Then, I heave a huge sigh of relief -- only for the tension to return the next morning, when someone steps out again.
I am angry. Angry at myself for being scared.
I have travelled every single day to my Times of India office opposite the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in near empty trains during the infamous Mumbai riots.
I walked the length of the roads from CST to KC college trying to get in touch with my son on a day of another terror attack when bodies were being hurried into siren-blazing ambulances, when loudspeakers were blaring appeals for blood donations and when jammed phone lines added to the mayhem.
But scared? No!
Angry and disguted? Yes! But never scared.
Until now.
I think it has been increasing with time, this disgust and disillusionment with political figures. As their greed, hunger for power, complete irreverence to ordinary lives, their callousness to our suffering increased, so did our anger.
But it did not result in an outburst.
Even when an upstart proclaimed himself the deliverer of Mumbai, questioning my right to being a Mumbaikar even after spending a good 36 years of my life in this city, the feeling increased.
Incidentally, this is the man who was nowhere to be seen when Mumbai was burning.
A part of me by then had already started seething with rage. The terror attacks only intensified the feeling of being vulnerable, directionless and headless. There was no security blanket. There was no succour.
As I sat glued to my television screen, looking on in complete horror and disbelief at the surreal drama unfolding before my eyes at CST, my feeling of helplessness grew every minute.
The mind, numb with shock, refused to register it for real; it looked like a gangster movie unfolding in front of my eyes.
And when the action shifted to the Taj and Oberoi hotels, the magnitude of the tragedy increased manifold. These were the places one went to relax and celebrate. I could see my daughter visibly crumbling. The Taj has always been something very special to her.
How? Why? What next? Questions arose in quick succession; and died unanswered.
As the tale of death and disaster progressed through three days and three nights, I found myself unable to tear away from the gruesome viewing; unable to sleep, or eat, or talk.
I felt angry at my defencelessness. The disgust at those who had sworn to protect and nurture the country started increasing.
They, the politicians, are called the leaders of the country. They use my -- taxpayers' -- money to guard their precious selves and leave me at the mercy of terrorists; like the defenceless ward boy of Cama hospital who manned the gate against terrorists -- and got a bullet as reward.
Why do these so-called leaders need to be guarded? Even if all of them are killed in terrorist attacks, is there even a single one of them who cannot be replaced the very next day? What entitles them to deserve the security for which I pay with my hard-earned money, and which is diverted from necessary weapons and protection to those who guard me?
They call themselves leaders. Who are they leading? With what?
Their insulated and inflated egos make them speak in deriding and patroniSing tones to a martyr's father. They make fun of a multitude of mourners. They make light of a calamity that has not only claimed lives but scarred whole families.
Do they care at all?
No sir. They resign listening to the voice of their muted conscience only when sure of being booted out otherwise. Some even then cling on to their chairs like a dying man does to an oxygen mask.
Politics has become big business. They call it service to the nation but in most of the cases it means amassing assets totally disproportionate to income. They enjoy unlimited clout and wield ruthless power on the same unsuspecting public whom they claim to serve.
Devoid of this only means of luxurious livelihood, most of them will not know how to fend for themselves. This is the only profession they are proficient in. This unique quality surpasses 'qualifications' of beliefs and ideologies.
No one at the helm cares for the country more than he does for himself. The generation that freed India from the British rule had left the comfort of homes to rough it up in jails for a mission. The current crop of politicians seeks the solace of politics for those very -- or greater -- comforts.
That is why personal safety was never a concern for those who lead India.
My father used to narrate an incident that happened during Partition. Pandit Nehru was visiting a riot-hit area in his car with a lone bodyguard. Suddenly, he asked the driver to stop the car and jumped out. A rioter was about to stab another man.
Nehru slapped him and snatched the knife from his hand before his stunned bodyguard could even react.
He was a leader who mingled freely with the masses and never had to resort to a bullet-proof car or screen to interact with his people. Gandhiji, uncaring of his safety, fell to these very bullets.
These were men who deserved to be protected -- yet they didn't care.
Why should we spend money on protecting worthless men and women who cannot look beyond protecting their own interest? Why should we pay for the protection of those who mock the common man's misery?
Let each of these politicians be stripped of the security cover and perks. Let them feel like the common men they really are. Let them understand that they are the servants of the people -- and then let us find out how many of them actually want to serve the nation.
The money then can be directed to where it is really needed. Let only those serve us, for whom politics has not become a business. The only face I could recall mixing with impunity with people post 26/11 was that of Milind Deora. I would any day be happy and feel safe having him or Rajdeep Sardesai or any former military chief as my chief minister.
At least they sound honest.
Incidentally Rajdeep was the only editor-in-chief was not firing salvos from his desk but was at the war zone. Replacing a Deshkmukh with a Shinde a Chawan or Pawar is a meaningless exercise. They are clones. We need dynamic people at the helm of affairs.
It is time our politicians got over their 'till death do us part' romance with power. It is time to give the young a chance.
Everyone is hankering that an Obama is needed to save an India. But Obama does not need to spell Mayawati. Obama is who he is because of his sincerity, honesty, decency and dynamism.
This is what we require in a person to lead us. Let the state taste this at the helm of affairs. We will get our Obama at the Centre too.
God knows we need the change. And fast.
December 03, 2008
I am scared.
Scared of venturing out, scared of the unknown terror lurking somewhere -- on the train, in the taxi, in the mall, at the theatre. Of a person brushing against me in a crowded area or lift.
Scared whether I will return in one piece -- or return at all -- every time I leave the safety of my home.
More than myself, I am scared whenever a loved one steps out. I am tense and pray until they all come back. Then, I heave a huge sigh of relief -- only for the tension to return the next morning, when someone steps out again.
I am angry. Angry at myself for being scared.
I have travelled every single day to my Times of India office opposite the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in near empty trains during the infamous Mumbai riots.
I walked the length of the roads from CST to KC college trying to get in touch with my son on a day of another terror attack when bodies were being hurried into siren-blazing ambulances, when loudspeakers were blaring appeals for blood donations and when jammed phone lines added to the mayhem.
But scared? No!
Angry and disguted? Yes! But never scared.
Until now.
I think it has been increasing with time, this disgust and disillusionment with political figures. As their greed, hunger for power, complete irreverence to ordinary lives, their callousness to our suffering increased, so did our anger.
But it did not result in an outburst.
Even when an upstart proclaimed himself the deliverer of Mumbai, questioning my right to being a Mumbaikar even after spending a good 36 years of my life in this city, the feeling increased.
Incidentally, this is the man who was nowhere to be seen when Mumbai was burning.
A part of me by then had already started seething with rage. The terror attacks only intensified the feeling of being vulnerable, directionless and headless. There was no security blanket. There was no succour.
As I sat glued to my television screen, looking on in complete horror and disbelief at the surreal drama unfolding before my eyes at CST, my feeling of helplessness grew every minute.
The mind, numb with shock, refused to register it for real; it looked like a gangster movie unfolding in front of my eyes.
And when the action shifted to the Taj and Oberoi hotels, the magnitude of the tragedy increased manifold. These were the places one went to relax and celebrate. I could see my daughter visibly crumbling. The Taj has always been something very special to her.
How? Why? What next? Questions arose in quick succession; and died unanswered.
As the tale of death and disaster progressed through three days and three nights, I found myself unable to tear away from the gruesome viewing; unable to sleep, or eat, or talk.
I felt angry at my defencelessness. The disgust at those who had sworn to protect and nurture the country started increasing.
They, the politicians, are called the leaders of the country. They use my -- taxpayers' -- money to guard their precious selves and leave me at the mercy of terrorists; like the defenceless ward boy of Cama hospital who manned the gate against terrorists -- and got a bullet as reward.
Why do these so-called leaders need to be guarded? Even if all of them are killed in terrorist attacks, is there even a single one of them who cannot be replaced the very next day? What entitles them to deserve the security for which I pay with my hard-earned money, and which is diverted from necessary weapons and protection to those who guard me?
They call themselves leaders. Who are they leading? With what?
Their insulated and inflated egos make them speak in deriding and patroniSing tones to a martyr's father. They make fun of a multitude of mourners. They make light of a calamity that has not only claimed lives but scarred whole families.
Do they care at all?
No sir. They resign listening to the voice of their muted conscience only when sure of being booted out otherwise. Some even then cling on to their chairs like a dying man does to an oxygen mask.
Politics has become big business. They call it service to the nation but in most of the cases it means amassing assets totally disproportionate to income. They enjoy unlimited clout and wield ruthless power on the same unsuspecting public whom they claim to serve.
Devoid of this only means of luxurious livelihood, most of them will not know how to fend for themselves. This is the only profession they are proficient in. This unique quality surpasses 'qualifications' of beliefs and ideologies.
No one at the helm cares for the country more than he does for himself. The generation that freed India from the British rule had left the comfort of homes to rough it up in jails for a mission. The current crop of politicians seeks the solace of politics for those very -- or greater -- comforts.
That is why personal safety was never a concern for those who lead India.
My father used to narrate an incident that happened during Partition. Pandit Nehru was visiting a riot-hit area in his car with a lone bodyguard. Suddenly, he asked the driver to stop the car and jumped out. A rioter was about to stab another man.
Nehru slapped him and snatched the knife from his hand before his stunned bodyguard could even react.
He was a leader who mingled freely with the masses and never had to resort to a bullet-proof car or screen to interact with his people. Gandhiji, uncaring of his safety, fell to these very bullets.
These were men who deserved to be protected -- yet they didn't care.
Why should we spend money on protecting worthless men and women who cannot look beyond protecting their own interest? Why should we pay for the protection of those who mock the common man's misery?
Let each of these politicians be stripped of the security cover and perks. Let them feel like the common men they really are. Let them understand that they are the servants of the people -- and then let us find out how many of them actually want to serve the nation.
The money then can be directed to where it is really needed. Let only those serve us, for whom politics has not become a business. The only face I could recall mixing with impunity with people post 26/11 was that of Milind Deora. I would any day be happy and feel safe having him or Rajdeep Sardesai or any former military chief as my chief minister.
At least they sound honest.
Incidentally Rajdeep was the only editor-in-chief was not firing salvos from his desk but was at the war zone. Replacing a Deshkmukh with a Shinde a Chawan or Pawar is a meaningless exercise. They are clones. We need dynamic people at the helm of affairs.
It is time our politicians got over their 'till death do us part' romance with power. It is time to give the young a chance.
Everyone is hankering that an Obama is needed to save an India. But Obama does not need to spell Mayawati. Obama is who he is because of his sincerity, honesty, decency and dynamism.
This is what we require in a person to lead us. Let the state taste this at the helm of affairs. We will get our Obama at the Centre too.
God knows we need the change. And fast.
LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
I am a typical mouse from Mumbai. In the local train compartment which has capacity of 100 persons, I travel with 500 more mouse. Mouse at least squeak but we don't even do that.
Today I heard your speech. In which you said 'NO BODY WOULD BE SPARED'. I would like to remind you that fourteen years has passed since serial bomb blast in Mumbai took place. Dawood was the main conspirator. Till today he is not caught. All our bollywood actors, our builders, our Gurkha king meets him but your Government can not catch him. Reason is simple; all your ministers are hand in glove with him. If any attempt is made to catch him everybody will be exposed. Your statement 'NOBODY WOULD BE SPARED' is nothing but a cruel joke on this unfortunate people of India.
Enough is enough. As such after seeing terrorist attack carried out by about a dozen young boys I realize that if same thing continues days are not away when terrorist will attack by air, destroy our nuclear reactor and there will be one more Hiroshima.
We the people are left with only one mantra. Womb to Bomb to Tomb. You promised Mumbaikar Shanghai what you have given us is Jalianwala Baug.
Today only your home minister resigned. What took you so long to kick out this joker? Only reason was that he was loyal to Gandhi family. Loyalty to Gandhi family is more important than blood of innocent people, isn't it?
I am born and bought up in Mumbai for last fifty eight years. Believe me corruption in Maharashtra is worse than that in Bihar. Look at all the politician, Sharad Pawar, Chagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane, Bal Thackray , Gopinath Munde, Raj Thackray, Vilasrao Deshmukh all are rolling in money. Vilasrao Deshmukh is one of the worst Chief minister I have seen. His only business is to increase the FSI every other day, make money and send it to Delhi so Congress can fight next election. Now the clown has found new way and will increase FSI for fisherman so they can build concrete house right on sea shore. Next time terrorist can comfortably live in those house , enjoy the beauty of sea and then attack the Mumbai at their will.
Recently I had to purchase house in Mumbai. I met about two dozen builders. Everybody wanted about 30% in black. A common person like me knows this and with all your intelligent agency & CBI you and your finance minister are not aware of it. Where all the black money goes? To the underworld isn't it? Our politicians take help of these goondas to vacate people by force. I myself was victim of it. If you have time please come to me, I will tell you everything.
If this has been land of fools, idiots then I would not have ever cared to write you this letter. Just see the tragedy, on one side we are reaching moon, people are so intelligent and on other side you politician has converted nectar into deadly poison. I am everything Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Schedule caste, OBC, Muslim OBC, Christian Schedule caste, Creamy Schedule caste only what I am not is INDIAN. You politician have raped every part of mother India by your policy of divide and rule.
Take example of former president Abdul Kalam. Such a intelligent person, such a fine human being. You politician didn't even spare him. Your party along with opposition joined the hands, because politician feels they are supreme and there is no place for good person.
Dear Mr Prime minister you are one of the most intelligent person, most learned person. Just wake up, be a real SARDAR. First and foremost expose all selfish politician. Ask Swiss bank to give name of all Indian account holder. Give reins of CBI to independent agency. Let them find wolf among us. There will be political upheaval but that will better than dance of death which we are witnessing every day. Just give us ambient where we can work honestly and without fear. Let there be rule of law. Everything else will be taken care of.
Choice is yours Mr. Prime Minister. Do you want to be lead by one person or you want to lead the nation of 100 Crore people?
Prakash B. Bajaj
Chandralok 'A" Wing, Flat No 104
97 Nepean Sea Road
Mumbai 400 036
Phone 98210-71194
I am a typical mouse from Mumbai. In the local train compartment which has capacity of 100 persons, I travel with 500 more mouse. Mouse at least squeak but we don't even do that.
Today I heard your speech. In which you said 'NO BODY WOULD BE SPARED'. I would like to remind you that fourteen years has passed since serial bomb blast in Mumbai took place. Dawood was the main conspirator. Till today he is not caught. All our bollywood actors, our builders, our Gurkha king meets him but your Government can not catch him. Reason is simple; all your ministers are hand in glove with him. If any attempt is made to catch him everybody will be exposed. Your statement 'NOBODY WOULD BE SPARED' is nothing but a cruel joke on this unfortunate people of India.
Enough is enough. As such after seeing terrorist attack carried out by about a dozen young boys I realize that if same thing continues days are not away when terrorist will attack by air, destroy our nuclear reactor and there will be one more Hiroshima.
We the people are left with only one mantra. Womb to Bomb to Tomb. You promised Mumbaikar Shanghai what you have given us is Jalianwala Baug.
Today only your home minister resigned. What took you so long to kick out this joker? Only reason was that he was loyal to Gandhi family. Loyalty to Gandhi family is more important than blood of innocent people, isn't it?
I am born and bought up in Mumbai for last fifty eight years. Believe me corruption in Maharashtra is worse than that in Bihar. Look at all the politician, Sharad Pawar, Chagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane, Bal Thackray , Gopinath Munde, Raj Thackray, Vilasrao Deshmukh all are rolling in money. Vilasrao Deshmukh is one of the worst Chief minister I have seen. His only business is to increase the FSI every other day, make money and send it to Delhi so Congress can fight next election. Now the clown has found new way and will increase FSI for fisherman so they can build concrete house right on sea shore. Next time terrorist can comfortably live in those house , enjoy the beauty of sea and then attack the Mumbai at their will.
Recently I had to purchase house in Mumbai. I met about two dozen builders. Everybody wanted about 30% in black. A common person like me knows this and with all your intelligent agency & CBI you and your finance minister are not aware of it. Where all the black money goes? To the underworld isn't it? Our politicians take help of these goondas to vacate people by force. I myself was victim of it. If you have time please come to me, I will tell you everything.
If this has been land of fools, idiots then I would not have ever cared to write you this letter. Just see the tragedy, on one side we are reaching moon, people are so intelligent and on other side you politician has converted nectar into deadly poison. I am everything Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Schedule caste, OBC, Muslim OBC, Christian Schedule caste, Creamy Schedule caste only what I am not is INDIAN. You politician have raped every part of mother India by your policy of divide and rule.
Take example of former president Abdul Kalam. Such a intelligent person, such a fine human being. You politician didn't even spare him. Your party along with opposition joined the hands, because politician feels they are supreme and there is no place for good person.
Dear Mr Prime minister you are one of the most intelligent person, most learned person. Just wake up, be a real SARDAR. First and foremost expose all selfish politician. Ask Swiss bank to give name of all Indian account holder. Give reins of CBI to independent agency. Let them find wolf among us. There will be political upheaval but that will better than dance of death which we are witnessing every day. Just give us ambient where we can work honestly and without fear. Let there be rule of law. Everything else will be taken care of.
Choice is yours Mr. Prime Minister. Do you want to be lead by one person or you want to lead the nation of 100 Crore people?
Prakash B. Bajaj
Chandralok 'A" Wing, Flat No 104
97 Nepean Sea Road
Mumbai 400 036
Phone 98210-71194
Monday, December 1, 2008
इस बार नहीं
इस बार जब वो छोटी सी बच्ची मेरे पास अपनी
खरोंच ले कर आएगी
मैं उसे फू फू कर नहीं बहलाऊँगा
पनपने दूँगा उसकी टीस को
इस बार नहीं
इस बार जब मैं चेहरों पर दर्द लिखा देखूँगा
नहीं गाऊँगा गीत पीड़ा भुला देने वाले
दर्द को रिसने दूँगा,उतरने दूँगा अन्दर गहरे
इस बार नहीं
इस बार मैं न मरहम लगाऊँगा
ना ही उठाऊँगा रुई के फाहे
और ना ही कहूँगा कि तुम आँखें बंद करलो,गर्दन उधर कर लो मैं दवा लगाता हूँ
देखने दूँगा सबको हम सबको खुले नंगे घाव
इस बार नहीं
इस बार जब उलझने देखूँगा,छटपटाहट देखूँगा
नहीं दौडूंगा उलझी डोर लपेटने
उलझने दूँगा जब तक उलझ सके
इस बार नहीं
इस बार कर्म का हवाला दे कर नहीं उठाऊँगा औजार
नहीं करूंगा फिर से एक नयी शुरुआत
नहीं बनूँगा मिसाल एक कर्मयोगी की
नहीं आने दूँगा ज़िन्दगी को आसानी से पटरी पर
उतरने दूँगा उसे कीचड में,टेढे मेढे रास्तों पे
नहीं सूखने दूँगा दीवारों पर लगा खून
हल्का नहीं पड़ने दूँगा उसका रंग
इस बार नहीं बनने दूँगा उसे इतना लाचार
कि पान की पीक और खून का फर्क ही ख़त्म हो जाए
इस बार नहीं
इस बार घावों को देखना है गौर से
थोड़ा लंबे वक्त तक
कुछ फैसले
और उसके बाद हौसले
कहीं तो शुरुआत करनी ही होगी
इस बार यही तय किया है
-- प्रसून जोशी
खरोंच ले कर आएगी
मैं उसे फू फू कर नहीं बहलाऊँगा
पनपने दूँगा उसकी टीस को
इस बार नहीं
इस बार जब मैं चेहरों पर दर्द लिखा देखूँगा
नहीं गाऊँगा गीत पीड़ा भुला देने वाले
दर्द को रिसने दूँगा,उतरने दूँगा अन्दर गहरे
इस बार नहीं
इस बार मैं न मरहम लगाऊँगा
ना ही उठाऊँगा रुई के फाहे
और ना ही कहूँगा कि तुम आँखें बंद करलो,गर्दन उधर कर लो मैं दवा लगाता हूँ
देखने दूँगा सबको हम सबको खुले नंगे घाव
इस बार नहीं
इस बार जब उलझने देखूँगा,छटपटाहट देखूँगा
नहीं दौडूंगा उलझी डोर लपेटने
उलझने दूँगा जब तक उलझ सके
इस बार नहीं
इस बार कर्म का हवाला दे कर नहीं उठाऊँगा औजार
नहीं करूंगा फिर से एक नयी शुरुआत
नहीं बनूँगा मिसाल एक कर्मयोगी की
नहीं आने दूँगा ज़िन्दगी को आसानी से पटरी पर
उतरने दूँगा उसे कीचड में,टेढे मेढे रास्तों पे
नहीं सूखने दूँगा दीवारों पर लगा खून
हल्का नहीं पड़ने दूँगा उसका रंग
इस बार नहीं बनने दूँगा उसे इतना लाचार
कि पान की पीक और खून का फर्क ही ख़त्म हो जाए
इस बार नहीं
इस बार घावों को देखना है गौर से
थोड़ा लंबे वक्त तक
कुछ फैसले
और उसके बाद हौसले
कहीं तो शुरुआत करनी ही होगी
इस बार यही तय किया है
-- प्रसून जोशी
धमाकों के तमाचों से आंखें तो खुली होंगी
धमाकों के तमाचों से आंखें तो खुली होंगी,
गर अब भी न उठा हाथ तो यह बुज़दिली होगी।
चूहे-बिल्ली का यह खेल आखिर कब तक चलेगा,
आज दहली है मुंबई, कल ख़ाक में दिल्ली होगी।
है गफ़लत कि ऊंघती सरकारें जागेंगी धमाकों के शोर से,
सियासतदानों की कुछ देर को महज कुर्सी हिली होगी।
ज़ंग ज़रूरत है अमन की हिफाज़त के लिए वरना,
ख़िज़ा के साये तले सहमी चमन की हर कली होगी।
"सौ सुनार की तो एक लोहार की" याद रहे "कुरील",
जब हम लेंगे हिसाब तो हर चोट की वसूली होगी।
-- मनोज 'कुरील'
गर अब भी न उठा हाथ तो यह बुज़दिली होगी।
चूहे-बिल्ली का यह खेल आखिर कब तक चलेगा,
आज दहली है मुंबई, कल ख़ाक में दिल्ली होगी।
है गफ़लत कि ऊंघती सरकारें जागेंगी धमाकों के शोर से,
सियासतदानों की कुछ देर को महज कुर्सी हिली होगी।
ज़ंग ज़रूरत है अमन की हिफाज़त के लिए वरना,
ख़िज़ा के साये तले सहमी चमन की हर कली होगी।
"सौ सुनार की तो एक लोहार की" याद रहे "कुरील",
जब हम लेंगे हिसाब तो हर चोट की वसूली होगी।
-- मनोज 'कुरील'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)