Angry Mumbai residents rally against politicians

by Sanjay Jha | December 3, 2008 at 08:44 pm

1114 views | 46 Recommendations | 22 comments

Angry Mumbai residents rally against politicians

Gateway of India witnesses sea of tributes

By Sanjay Jha in Mumbai

Seething with anger, frustration and in sombre mood, tens of thousands of people descended on Mumbai’s streets, close to the site of last week’s attack s in which at least 188 people died.

It was touted as a peaceful rally but the mood at India’s biggest spontaneous and leaderless march was combative rather than peaceful. The outrage and anger was directed at politicians and neighbouring Pakistan. A sea of humanity had gathered to protest against last week’s violence as well as against an apparent repeated failure to stop such attacks.

Wednesday evening’s impromptu protest was dominated by young people, professionals and common citizens of Mumbai, all huddled together in solidarity. The crowd started gathering at six in the evening and rallied until nine o’clock.

For the first time there was no leader, no organizers and no speeches were made. People had come together, reacting to messages via SMS, email, blogs on social networking sites like Facebook. This event marked the beginning of tech-driven protesting in India. The internet has emerged as a phenomenal organizing tool to bring youths together.

'Now or never'

Wearing white T-shirts with “I Love Mumbai” slogans, people carried candles and placards in memory of the victims of the attacks. They reached the Gateway of India, near the Taj Hotel, one of the terror sites, and paid tribute to those who had fallen to the terrorists' bullets and grenades.

Most of the angst was directed against India’s politicians and people were seen shouting slogans against them, blaming them for the state of affairs. They expressed their anger in the banners they were carrying. A youth held a banner that read: “There are some more terrorists in India. They are called politicians.”

College student Rriddihima Savkar was holding a placard and chanting slogans. "Politicians should be more accountable and we want to awaken them and tell them it is now or never,” she told NowPublic.

Holding a candle, another student, Dexter Rodriques, blamed Pakistan for the attacks and said it had even backtracked on its promise of sending its intelligence chief. “For this brutal action we require an equal and appropriate action against Pakistan,” he said.

Mumbai businessman Biren Thakkar wanted army rule for five years and an attack on Pakistan to combat the problem.

“Politicians should become answerable for their actions and shouldn’t shirk from their responsibility," said Sonia Sahwney, a young professional who was taking part in her first ever rally.

Solidarity

Protesters wanted to know why officials had apparently ignored initial reports of possible attacks on Mumbai.

They also wanted to know why compensation to victims’ families was low especially when people had died due to what they saw as gross negligence and lethargy on the part of the government. Why were illiterate people and prisoners being allowed to contest elections, they asked.

In a show of solidarity, Muslims held a separate rally the same evening demanding Pakistan be declared a terrorist state. They are going to organize a much bigger rally along similar lines on December 8th.

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Amitjha

at 21:10 on December 3rd, 2008

Well the death of some of the elites have changed the situation this time, whole lot of celebrities and business group are on road asking for resignation.Earlier the victims used to be middle class and reaction used to be short lived.In Delhi blast no body resigned nor any body lit candle at India Gate.

reshmi

at 21:32 on December 3rd, 2008

Its never too late, Amit. I am happy that for whatever reason, the anger has finally seeped into our hearts, and this time with a determination.

Amitjha

at 23:35 on December 3rd, 2008

Optimism is fine, i am sure nothing will happen, just wait and watch.We humans are great escapist ....some other tragedy will divert us, and government is expert in this game.

Rachel Nixon

at 21:53 on December 3rd, 2008

Reshmi also reported on this rally.

Rajan Saxena (not verified)

at 00:20 on December 4th, 2008

All the politicians need depart now. Do you all know that swiss bank accounts have about $1.5 Trillion US dollars from India? I wonder who they are ! If America can vote in a President Barack Obama India needs it's own Barack Obama or John F. Kennedy.

Someone that will start to curb the corruption, it's pathetic that we all talk about how great our country is but yet in the forefront the corruption kills it. National Security needs to be looked it. Nothing personal against Muslims but they had their chance and still do they can migrate to Pakistan.. It's not too late !

Traffic !... What are politicians doing about that? Delhi has 750 cars a day coming on the roads! it's crazy yet nobody talks about finding ways to curb it or build out highways and freeways. I saw they need to increase parking fees to 50 rupees and use th funds from that and maybe some other taxes and build out highways like they have in Bangkok. Build out more metro links. It's like being in the MTA in Singapore or the Tube in London.

Electric cars is one answer with Solar Power to charge them. We really need alternative energies badly. India gets 300 days of Sun..lets put up some solar panels and start using free power ! I can go on and on but my point is out with these bad politicians, they all need to be fired.

They really are not doing anything for the country but they are doing everything for their damn pockets.

R-

vijay Deo Jha, Senior Correspondent, The Pioneer (not verified)

at 00:37 on December 4th, 2008

There is nothing wrong if people vent their anger against politicians for their casual approach towards terrorism. They planned to perish 5000 life but we stopped them at 167. Only a buffon and shameless politician can say. You can not play Possum as such. Let me remind that Indian is becoming a soft state of the whole "Asian Drama." The political India did not act properly nor it reacted the way it was expected now let Civil Society take rein.

We do not need buffons to run this country-- their head must roll.

Amitjha

at 01:41 on December 4th, 2008

I simply cant undestand , why we are acting as the terrorists want us to act, the whole concept of democracy is at stake.For god sake look inside and ask who is responsible for the act...............blaming politicians and escaping from the reality of existing divide and fueling the hatred will increse the chances of such attacks in fiture.

Trupti (not verified)

at 00:42 on December 4th, 2008

I walked the rally as well. not sure exactly why but definitely a feeling of belonging regalled. i was walking with comeplete starngers but a common purpose.

Sanjay Jha

at 01:02 on December 4th, 2008

Thanks very much Vijay and Trupti, Yes i also walked in the rally and agree that no many people knew each other very well but purpose was common.

KaushiK™

at 04:11 on December 12th, 2008

I missed out :(

srinu (not verified)

at 02:40 on December 4th, 2008

from people of india to world:

"Sarfaroshi ki thamanna ab hamari dil mein hein

Dekh na hai jor kitna bazzuein katil mein hein".

We will fight back for sure.

gauri bobde (not verified)

at 03:03 on December 4th, 2008

Hi,

I never walked the rally, but being a mumbite i surely share the same feelings,its not about Mumbai or Delhi Amit,but its against the terriosm that is getting often,we had serial blast in mumbai even in 2006 but we did not have any rallies then.....but this time it was like testing patience.....we as youngsters should not commit the same mistake of voting for wrong people,but we should be able to support some tuff decisions like military rule now in the country..we have had enough of scrap under the pretex of being democratic,its high time we have to give it back to people who deserve it. It such a shame that they are getting repetitive in nature and we arent doing anything about it...its only because we lack those dynamics in us. we can only flaunt democracy and act like timid helpless rats.We treat like a casual event not something to do with our dignity, self respect, love.Just ralllies wont help now...its time for some action for all the youngsters of India....the terrorist were just 25yrs old...and our 25year old chap is busy thinking about money,cars and other luxury.Guess it high time we give it back to them...."EET KA JAVAB PATHAR SE DENA PADEGA"

Amitjha

at 03:16 on December 4th, 2008

Well gauri , irespect your emotion, tit for tat , will not solve the problem.we can kill some hundred terrorists , no doubt about that, but recommending Army rule is not justified.Unfortunately there will not be liberty of rally in army rule.Army is trying to control terrorism in J&K from last 30 years , they havent proved there potential yet.

reshmi

at 03:16 on December 4th, 2008

nice to see the flame still alive Gauri. keep it going till we reach a stage where peace is established in our lives. we can begin it right from our homes. keep a check on the servant's background that we hire. keep a check on people that come and go in your society. these small checks kept by all of us will prove very helpful and criminals will know that people are vigilant.

Amitjha

at 03:19 on December 4th, 2008

asking peace by wagging a war is not the solution, we have won freedom nonviolently, atleast this terror attack stand anywhere in respect to that.Love , unconditionally , is the only possible solution.

politisite

at 08:36 on December 4th, 2008

Sanjay, Thanks for keeping us, on this side of the world, with accurate reporting

Fairbanks

at 10:03 on December 4th, 2008

tell them it is now or never

. . . what is now or never? Nuclear war?

Fractal Enlightenment (not verified)

at 12:50 on December 4th, 2008

It was a great feeling to attend such a rally, never seen something so united! Fight for peace, justice and security. What made it even better was people of age groups came for this, what an impact text messages and social networking sites had...phenomenal. We did more of people movement, I hope it doesn't fizzle out. I hav taken pics n videos of this here - http://mumbaimania.blogspot.com/2008/12/politicians-pakistan-protest-rally.html

chanaka

at 00:59 on December 5th, 2008

Indians should unite throwing out there Cast / religious / states and languages disputes. More you divide more u heart. I believe only person not worried about this attack is Karunanidhi, he is still worried about some barbaric terrorist dream. It is true people should understand that politician are in power because of them and they should elect the right people t right place. This is great as people rice for justice can eliminate corruption and unite the country. In Sri Lanka we have these attacks for almost 02 decades and we suffered lot. We Sri lankans with you all. Never Give up.

Heena (not verified)

at 01:54 on December 5th, 2008

I salute all those who laost their life's in the Massive Terror attack....Lithing candles, calling rally....is not enough people....we need to do something beyond that.....Did any one inquired whether the victims family recieved the amount from the government.........We need throw these poloiticians out....they are good for nothing...lets come together and fight for it....lets not keep quiet after some time....lets do somthing....U dirty politicians Enough is Enough....Tell them now you oldies sit at home and see what we mumbaikar do..........

VANDE MATARAM

abhishek sood (not verified)

at 20:55 on December 5th, 2008

i would jst like to make a point. like the army the police force should also be an indiginious body reporting only to the prime minister or the president....

KaushiK™

at 04:30 on December 12th, 2008

A time has come when we have to guard our nation in the same way as we protect our own homes. And, for this, we cannot depend on the politicians, though they seem to show some worthiness when people are angry. But all their steps taken up so far is about blaming another nation, and pressuring them for doing this and that. At the most, we hear army, navy and air force has been put to high alert.

What about those media reports where the brave Mumbai policemen were shown facing terrorists with old fashioned riffles? What about those faulty bullet proof jackets for which we lost some fighters? Who will buy them new modern weapons and protection jackets? Which politician is talking about it? The politicians are still issuing high statements, the Prime Minister no exception. I heard the PM saying in Parliament session - we must do this, we must do that. Ridiculous! We have sent them to power, they lead the country, then who else is he mentioning as "we"? We the common people will buy policemen's weapons? We will go buy bullet proof jackets for policemen?

I don't want to see our politicians blaming or pressuring another nation, but rather I would want the leaders of our country to show us effectively how they can protect our territories, how they can enable our forces to combat cime elements with proper weapons. Many cities of India still doesn't have proper vehicles for the police guys to chase criminals. But our politicians surely have cars of high value!

When the PM wants votes he will attend many rallies. But now? Do we see any leader attending the people? I want to see our PM beside Mumbai people next time.... forget all security issues, come to people first. Stand by their side. Ok, if the PM can't come then at least send his cabinet colleages, if not all, at least some of them! If this is not their urgency, then what is in their agenda?