Virinchi

Why politicians remember Mumbai terror attack victims?

 With no reasons to hurt the sentiments of the victims of Mumbai terror attack and their kin a single question circles my mind, what does the agencies and Government authorities try to show while observing the death anniversary for the same? Agreed that November 26, 2008 was a black mark day in the history of India, but innocent blood were spilled in several deadly terror attacks too. Reports and developments over terror attacks on Ramjanmbhumi in UP, Akshardham temple attack-- to name a few-- fade in the ambience of 26/11. Why?

The first and foremost answer that struck my mind about 26/11 terror attack getting so much poliand media attention is because it was the first time that the elite class and foreign nationals fell victim at the hands of terrorists. Although, the common man was not untouched this time as well but the aam admi has always been a soft target of the terror outfits since ages, but that is something very common and Government is adapted to it. So, killing of innocent elites took the authorities aback as they are the ones who help our politicians in times of need. And also the attack over such hi-profile places where presidents and prime ministers of several nations visiting India don't give a miss was a matter of grave concern.

Media goes hysteric every year on this very day but it amazes me why rest other incidents go unnoticed by them. Another question flashes into my mind, had the situation been the same, if it were just 166 middle class men slaughtered at the hands of Kasab and his colleagues? The answer this time again is no. Taking cue from the serial train bombing on July 11 --another massacre occurred in Mumbai (country’s commercial capital). 209 were killed in those blasts that targetted the working middle class that commutes in Mumbai’s local trains. Therefore, this truly supports my conclusion.

With Ajmal Kasab given so much of VIP treatment for four years before he was finally prosecuted for what he deserved also makes me think that even the killer of elites is entitled to get special treatment by the jail authorities.

Seems the authorities took the concept of ‘Atithi Devo Bhawa’ bit too seriously. It took the authorities four long years to punish Kasab--the sole surviving gunman in the attacks who was fed with ‘chicken biryani’ for killing the elites, all these years inside the prison. More than 20 crore rupees were spent upon him (Kasab) in four years in a country where the government expects a normal man to survive at mere Rs. 26 to survive.

Several upper class people were killed and held hostage in the terrorist attack including 18 foreign nationals losing their lives present at Oberoi Trident, Taj Mahal Palace & Tower and Leopold Café—all attended by the elites.

Now, have we ever heard of a news story regarding death anniversaries of the victims celebrated like the kind of attention given to this? I very well understand that the Mumbai attacks were massive in their kind but I have never heard of a top politician ever visiting annually and paying tribute to those who lost their lives in such homicides.

The government has definitely been partial on their part for handling both the sections of the society equally. Places like temple, bus stand, market places, local trains are very rare destinations where elites and politicians are found. Therefore, tight security of such places are not given a damn.