Delhi blast: Another black Wednesday as terror strikes

My ancestors tell me freedom of thought and expression is part of my inheritance, and even though they sometimes feel I take it for granted, a scene like this Wednesday’s makes it apparent that while independent India may be my present, the struggle against terrorism is my present continuous. I am not alone in this ensuing struggle. My government, people, and the world at large are part of it. But unlike some leaders who react differently, mine often only want me to be strong when struck by tragedy. The Home Ministry tells me that I shouldn’t be intimidated by terror, but then they seem oblivious of the fact that I don’t have 24*7 security at my disposal. Some of my friends have resigned themselves to fate. After a blast like today’s they know they’ll suddenly see more police reinforcements and checks at crowded places, they also know it’ll last for a few days, maybe even a week. Having duly observed the routine that follows time after time, they know life will also have to return to normal. [caption id=“attachment_78558” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Sniffer dogs outside the Delhi High Court after the blast. AP”]  [/caption] It’s the nature of armchair activism/reaction from the powers that reign supreme which angers and upsets me. It’s also the reason why a movie like A Wednesday seems to offer a more ‘absolute’ solution. I can understand, even empathise with the protagonist. The story of an ordinary man who plans ‘Operation Kill’ to arm-twist the authorities into handing over terrorists responsible for the 1993 Bombay blasts.  In a scene when the protagonist is asked who he is by the police, he says

“I am that person who is scared to travel in a bus. I am that person who either gets trapped in rain or in a blast. I am that person who used to doubt others just by looking at their wrists and I am also that person who is scared to grow beard and wear a cap. I am that person who gives a deep thought to choose a name of his/her shop for trading fearing that my property may get destroyed in a riot. Whoever is involved in a quarrel, it’s me who is always killed in the end. Just look at a crowd of thousands & select one face, I am that person. I am just a stupid common man.”

What Neeraj Pandey may not have realised while filming and writing that movie is that A Wednesday was to become over and over again the chosen day for the carnage caused by the terrorists. 26 November, 2010; 11 July 2011, and 7 September, 2011 all happen to fall on Wednesdays. The middle of the week, where regular folks like you and me, are more bothered about wrapping up work for the week, or planning a weekend with family or friends, and finally unwinding. My condolences, as of every other Indian, are with the families of people for whom this was no ordinary Wednesday. Pandey’s celluloid solution/dream seems a reality waiting to happen if the government continues to congratulate me and you on resurfacing well after yet another attack.