I don’t know actually, and the sense of helplessness is become a way of life. Pranab Mukherjee has been summoned by the PM to visit Sri Lanka to try and have a truce between between the Sri Lankan government and LTTE. The PM, as we know him, again wilted under pressure from the Tamil Nadu government, to send Mukherjee to SL to save Tamilian lives. This is petty politics and at its best. When we are trying to prevent India from its own demons, the likes of Karunanidhis seem more concerned about the state of Tamilians in SL. They even went on strike some days back. It seems that the Tamil Nadu Govt is unaffected by the Mumbai Massacre and unabashedly focusing on its own vote bank.

With millions of Indians against the government, Milind Deora (he represents a constituency in South Mumbai) is the only politician to have come forward and said on record “I am ashamed to be a politician.” Valiant statement Mr Deora, but somehow I can’t help smelling dirty politics here too. See, I can’t trust any politician. The best rhetoric was when one of the banners at the Gateway of India rally read “We would prefer a dog visit our house to a Politician,” in response to Kerala CM’s disgusting articulation that not a dog would glance at Major Unikrishnan’s house had it not been a martyr’s home. That was some consolation from the Kerala CM.

Anyhow, with Pranab, the only minister from the government to have come out of the closet and said that Military Option is not ruled out, going to SL and Rice already in Islamabad, what the Indian government does next remains to be seen. Rice, who was in Islamabad yesterday, went from being tough to polite. That the US is playing its own games is quite visible now.

While we are still trying to overcome the feel of anger against terror and disgust over our own spineless government, Pakistan (aka ISI) is trying its best to divert our attention. With fresh threats coming to hijack airplanes in India, ISI is ensuring that Mumbai is forgotten as soon as possible.

The Dragon Wheel 

While American President, government and experts have openly acknowledged Pakistan’s participation, the Chinese are as usual silent. Pak Media reports that China has promised Zardari that they will provide Pakistan with all material in case India attacks them. Of course, for their own ulterior motives.

The Chinese stand is important for India because they are neighbors. With a complicated past and equally complex present, India cannot really take China easily. The Chinese have also reportedly donated Rs 1.2 Billion to Nepal for developing strategic infrastructure.

To Live – Foremost reason of course is our survival which is beyond all international pressures, political ambitions, vote banks and internal rift. The Indian subcontinent, as also voiced by UN, US and EU, is one of the most sensitive regions of the world right now, especially because of the nuclear arms, or to put in the western lingo, Weapons of Mass Destruction.

International Support – In this unprecedented moment, we have unconditional support of the world, namely the US, and we must not let this opportunity go waste. We have an international green signal, and we must ensure than before it turns red, we must chase the green light and act upon. Obama has now publicly said that India, like every sovereign country, has a right to protect itself. The ToI said that in case Pakistan fails to respond effectively, the stage is set for strikes. India has in the past wilted under international pressure when it came to attacking Pakistan but now we enjoy vociferous support of many major nations. More so because people from 10 nations died in the Mumbai attack.

Don’t Trust Pakistan – We can’t trust Pakistan now, and we should never have. The latest proof is that Zardari has openly refused to hand over Indian fugitives such as Dawood Ibrahim to the Indian government, that too after the South Block issued a formal demarche. Zardari has been shouting from the rooftop for the past week that he will unconditionally help India in investigations, and he did not even bat an eyelid before retracting and again showing the world how trustworthy Pakistanis are. Also, he took a U-Turn last week when he refused to send the ISI chief to India after agreeing initially. It is now clear to us that his talks and any promises of “collaborative and unconditional investigations” is meaningless and just a disgusting political gimmick.

The Terrorists Camps Must be Destroyed – We have every fundamental and logical right to attack the masterminds of those outfits who plan to kill us, disrupt us and plan to infuse fear amongst us. The Indian Defense Forces are undoubtedly capable of taking on the Pakistani militant outfits. Even if the so-called Taliban militants ally Pakistan in this war, we have an army, navy and air force better equipped. Also, we will have international allies in these strikes. It is about time that we tell Pakistan what war is: it is not about covert operations, it is about on-your-face action which happens in front of the world, and which is later taught thru history books to the generations to come.

Anger Amongst People – “Enough is Enough” – we have been reading this on rally banners, TV channels, through word of mouth, just about everywhere. Yesterday thousands of students, working people, businessmen, homemakers and even celebrities gathered at the Gateway of India and asked for action. Time we translate this anger into an action that gives Pakistan a reply that they deserve for a long time.

Nothing you say can move me, I’ve chosen the road that I’m on
I have to join the fight for freedom, until the war is won

- MLTR, Love Will Never Lie

Oh my sleeping child, the world’s so wild but you’ve built your own paradise
That’s one reason why I’ll cover you sleeping child

- MLTR, Sleeping Child

There is an enigma that surrounds us today. We as a country of more than a billion people are indecisive. We are divided into two. One who say that we must attack, and one who say that attack will lead to more bloodshed. One who say that we make war to live in peace, one who say that non-violence is the way to go. One who feel that anger can be converted into meaningful answer that must be given to the instigators of Mumbai proxy war, one who feel that anger is temporary and we must find alternatives. One who believe that the leadership is too weak to wage a war and one who believe that the government is mature!

I, quite nonchalantly, belong to the former. I can safely say on behalf of my sect that we are not pro-war, we don’t like bloodshed, we like peace and we like a state where children can smile but walk freely without fear. I am not a vocal representative. I am just one of those who is reacting to the cold blood firing that happened in Mumbai.

People ask me cite a reason for this anger and reaction. I don’t have a reason, sorry. I cannot think of a reason. But I have a purpose and that is that the generations to come live in a country that is free of external threat, that feels secure within the borders of this great country, that take pride in the courage of its predecessors. I know that people who subscribe to my notion are those who can die fighting but can’t live shamelessly.

Before the world turned into a civilized and organized place to live, kings and leaders fought for land and love. I don’t support this reason to fight. We need to fight now because we want to live in a safe country. Some people around me tell me that we can react by making our country more secure and tightening the security. But I argue that every country’s security can be breached. If we fight and display ruthlessly that we are a force to reckon with, our nation will automatically have an invisible layer of security that will keep the intruders at bay.

Some days ago, a cat in my backyard gave birth to a few kittens. I tried to go near one of kittens with the intention of cuddling it and the mother cat frowned at me and almost attacked me. I would like to mention that I have always seen cats run away on seeing a human approach them, but this time the mommy cat wanted to defend her children by attacking. Similarly, I want to defend the children of my country by attacking those who plan to kill them. I am not wrong I know. If I want that my nephews and nieces grow up in a country where they won’t have fear going for a movie or eating out, then isn’t that a fair demand?

Perhaps, in this situation, ATTACK is a synonym of DEFENCE. As a nation we are undoubtedly hurt and injured. We don’t mind being a wounded little bit more to have a safe life thereafter.

People who want to harm us are sinners, but let us not become sinners as well by allowing them to hurt us unabashedly. I am a peace-lover too but I know that there needs to be a storm before we can swim in the calm seas again!