So there’s been yet another terrorist attack, and this one has clearly upped the ante.
My condolences to the families and friends of the people dead, and sympathies to those injured, as well as to the hostages and their families. Yet again, we have been attacked. Yet again, we shall pick ourselves up, gather the tattered remains of our lives together and move on. C’est la vie, unfortunately.
Two very disturbing takeaways from this attack. The first is the renewed parroting for more draconian laws like POTA – as one commentator on Indian Homemaker’s blog demanded. The other is the sight of crowds milling about the Taj and the Oberoi, as if there was a circus in progress. Why add to the madness? I am mystified – surely these people know that they aren’t helping any by being there – in fact, they’re only adding to the chaos and confusion. Why are they there?
The easiest reaction in a situation like this is to call for tougher laws, all of which aim to circumvent the adherence to due process. Due process anyway gets short shrift here in India, and do we really want to legitimise that? This is an issue I had touched upon in this post of mine. Shouldn’t better investigation, more co-ordination and better training be looked at first, instead of giving the police arbitrary powers to harass citizens? I am no expert on these things, and would welcome your views. I am just terrified by the knowledge that by bringing in such laws, we have pretty much capitulated to terrorism – their objective of destroying the civil and democratic fabric of India will have been achieved. And contrary to what people feel, these won’t be effective deterrents. Simply because, in my mind, they do not address the root of the problems plaguing our law-enforcement esablishments.
The Quirky Indian 
November 27, 2008 at 2:27 pm
i guess more than anything political will is required
nothing is ever going to happen if commandos are securing politicians and cid is busy spying personal relations
November 27, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I agree with you that laws like TADA & POTA don’t work because of their misuse…Even without these laws, the police misuse their powers and with these laws they do so legally…
November 27, 2008 at 5:01 pm
so true QI.
i see my regular friends talking about wiping out a race by saying we need 10000 more Modis!
is this what we UNDERSTAND from terrorist attacks?
even over lunch a colleague spoke about having a Mossad equivalent and I wasnt so sure. yeah we are all very impressed with the way work, but there’s still unrest in Israel and its hardly safe…
so reaching the root cause is really important thank giving blanket powers to some team to shoot at sight. whats the difference between terrorists and lawmakers then?!
what scares and hurts more is that such things rather than uniting us divide us further making us suspicious of an entire humanity.
heres hoping that sanity prevails and no more blood is shed. prayers and luck…
November 27, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Hi QI – Like you, I begin by extending heartfelt condolences to those who lost loved ones and to those whose loved ones may still be in danger.
At the risk of over-connecting the two events, I think we could draw comparisons between 09/11 and Mumbai. I realise that the scale is significantly different, but the use of a new, more deadly and more brazen approach to terrorist violence is a common theme.
As we have seen in the US, the Bush administration has responded to 09/11 with some appalling legislation, practices and tactics. I sincerely doubt the long-term helpfulness of much of the Bush administration’s efforts … and I would certainly be weary of other governments following a similar tact.
November 27, 2008 at 6:45 pm
But what is to be done? WHAT THE HELL IS TO BE DONE?
This government has totally failed in every sense to protect us. It hasn’t done its bloody job.
Although, I agree with you about the misuse of tougher laws but it is also a fact that nothing can stop a POTA clone from coming into force now. And it’s not the BJP’s fault, it’s the Congress’.
I believe the PM has already mentioned that they are going to pass a “National Security Act”.
Hades
The Times of Bullshit
November 27, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Very sensible post. Brilliant suggestions.
What we get are knee jerk reactions, which are totally ineffective. Thanks God for objective, intelligent voices in these mad times.
November 27, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Forget the crowd circus. Look at the media circus. The commentary circus. The condemnation circus.
It’s time for actions, not words.
November 27, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Glad you’re safe.
November 27, 2008 at 9:43 pm
First, my heart goes out to all the victims of this senseless killing.
Second, I hope that your country doesn’t make the same mistakes my country (USA) made after 9/11 and severely curtails protections against government intrusion on civil rights. Benjamin Franklin said, “They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.”
Many in my country forgot that principle. We are worse off for it. So, I hope India doesn’t take that path.
On a lighter note, if you’re going to emulate the Bush Administration and rid yourself of civil liberties in the name of “protection,” you also need to now invade a country that had nothing to do with this attack. How about Luxembourg? It’s just hanging out there doing nothing. You could probably beat the crap out of them in no time.
Back to being serious, I’m glad you’re ok and wish the best for all of you as you recover from this horrendous event.
November 27, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Its political will and nothing more that is required. I think most of us are simply fed up of bickering amongst political parties. George Bush was on ground Zero when the 9/11 happened…where is our leadership?? and does the leadership only act after a delay…I guess papers needed to be signed before the NSG could be sent…we really do need an effective response system backed up by strong emergency measures both for security personnel and the citizens
November 28, 2008 at 12:25 am
QI — I had exactly the same thoughts as you when I heard the news. Thanks for reassuring me that there’s some sanity left in the world.
November 28, 2008 at 12:56 am
[…] hits the nail on the head: The easiest reaction in a situation like this is to call for tougher laws, all of which aim to […]
November 28, 2008 at 2:47 am
Tougher laws? What an ironic idea.. laws are not enforced anyway, if you have tougher ones they will not be enforced when needed so what’s the point.
@supercynic; LOL yeah luxemburg.. how about switzerland as well? I mean, not doing anything at all during two entire world wars has to be suspicious right! They must have something to hide!
November 28, 2008 at 5:50 am
true…and when the same case indicts Purohit and Sadhvi Pragnya in a bomb blast. All hell breaks loose and the ATS and their motives is questioned.
Read an article in Indian Express as to how the ATS chief who was killed was baffled that his investigation was questioned by someone who could be the next PM of India, LK Advani (the biggest terrorist of India).
Read here http://www.indianexpress.com/news/karkares-response-to-a-death-threat-a-smiley/391325/0
November 28, 2008 at 10:31 am
@Burf: You’re right on both counts.
@Sraboney: Unfortunately for us, most people see tougher laws as some kind of magic wand…
@Abha: thanks….more than 36 hours later, it’s still going on.
@Liam – thank you….and yes, let’s hope we learn from the mistakes of others….but history doesn’t give me any cause for optimism.
@Hades: what people don’t realise is that even with tougher laws, the government will still not do its job – but it will lock up people who point that out. Is that what we want?
@Indianhomemaker: thanks you….I hope people realise it’s quicksand they’re walking into…
@Trailblazer: we’re a circus country. What did we expect?
@Smokescreen: thanks you….hope the unfortunate people still in the middle of it make it out safely…
@Supercynic: thanks….and yes, I suppose one of these random countries should be the next step…along with an offshore detention centre.
@Robin: Aren’t we expecting too much from our politicians?
@Abhishek: thanks….let’s hope we, as a people, make the right choices now.
@Hedonist666: Exactly….you’d think something this simple would be a no-brainer….but no sir, it sure isn’t!
@Liju: The police need some serious training…..they seem completely at sea.
November 28, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Hi quirky fail to understand why my previous comment was deleted. A reason would be appreciated.
India is thankfully diverse where both the public and the policy makers distrust each other.
Tell it to the crowds milling around a military operation that they are disturbing and they will conclude that it is police high – handedness.
Come to Infinity mall in Andheri and you will see an 80% chance of well to do Indians (the kind that were the butt of the recent attack) complaining about regular bag checking (which is so cursory that is laughable).
POTA has every chance of being misused as the world has figured by now. How to balance civil liberties without sliding into a soft target requires careful calibration and involvement of various fronts – civil liberty and citizens groups, law makers, law enforcement agencies, the executive and the judiciary.
We are living in extra-ordinary times. Let us come down from our well meaning but entrenched positions and form a way to move ahead rather than view each other suspiciously.
November 29, 2008 at 12:22 am
I think the minister of something did say that despite the POTA many terrorist attacks did take place, so it was not about making another law.
It was about the implementation.
So I think we might not see a POTA… I hope what with Barack Obama and ‘winds of change’ this attack brings a change too in what comes out of it.
November 29, 2008 at 2:57 am
QI–Great post and suggestions. I hope politicians listen and act with wisdom.
November 29, 2008 at 8:33 am
@astralwicks: some confusion here…I have not deleted any comment. Perhaps you are referring to your comment on this post of mine:
https://quirkyindian.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/so-you-want-terrorists-to-be-tortured/
In which case, you’ll have to go to that post.
November 29, 2008 at 10:58 am
ToI, in a rare piece of useful journalism had this report.
Apparently India 145.2 policemen per lakh of population, compared to 326.4 for the US and 192.7 for Nepal.
And our Maharashtra government spends less than 1000 Rs per policeman on training, as compared to Rs 1975 national average, which is not that much by itself.
These numbers are quite shocking for a country with so many internal security problems.
November 29, 2008 at 11:53 am
Another issue brought into focus is the horrid state of our police forces, with their antiquated weaponry which most likely wouldnt even fire if required.
I was surprised to see the army, and the ATS, and the NSG, and the navy, all involved in the resolution. Doesnt the presence of so many agencies add to the confusion?
November 29, 2008 at 2:03 pm
my mistake quirky. apologies.
December 1, 2008 at 12:38 pm
What a bunch of retards! My condolences to everyone affected by this atrocity…
December 3, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Whatever, Democracy will always be the loser…
But as Churchill said… We do not have so much choices.
Just 2 small comments:
1- You can expect from now that it will be much more difficult all around the world (at least for the favorite destinations for tourists)to book a room and get inside an hotel. You can easily get the consequences.
2- Pakistan found the truth: they are not Pakistani but “apatride” (stateless persons) according the latest news. The irony of this second comment / news, compensate a little bit the sadness of the previous one.
🙂
http://fvarga.wordpress.com/
December 3, 2008 at 9:34 pm
I think, we who share similar views as expressed by u in this post need to start a people’s campaign to pressurise the govt., to not fall for the quick mass-appealing measures, such as bringing in tougher anti-terror laws.As u also said succumbing to that would mean playing into the hands of terorist-ideas. It would rip apart the democratic, civil foundations of this country. A terrified, self-suspecting nation is hardly a strong nation. Ideas of emulating Israel in building a security net as expressed by some(!); well despite all of it, Israel is anything but a safe place. Doesn’t it make far more sense to invest in security infrastructure, a more advanced&coordinated training amongst the various intelligence&security agencies. A casual brush with any of these agencies& it’s so apparent to all; they are so out of times-technologically,socially & more. En-abling India, not dis-abling India.
Am currently based in one of the most peaceful corners in Northern Europe.Security agencies that are fairly efficient, advanced& well trained in all aspects(incl. societal), a transparent civil, democratic society& a very well thought out(& quite democratic) foreign policy makes this part of the world, one of the safer places, rather than anything else. As for your post, VERY WELL SAID. Shouldn’t we all co-ordinate better?…press the media& so on.
December 9, 2008 at 11:56 am
Having said all that needs to be done , we need to each one of us introspect and work out in what small way each one of us can contribute ………
……….for the better world for all of
us and the future generations !