The Hindu : Front Page : A week after, Mumbai groundswell against terror

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Thursday, Dec 04, 2008
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A week after, Mumbai groundswell against terror

Anupama Katakam

A rally with feeling converges on the Gateway of India area

MUMBAI: All roads led to the Taj Mahal Hotel this evening in Mumbai. In a show of solidarity, thousands of people marched to the hotel, often raising slogans against politicians, Pakistan and the reaction of the government to last week’s terror attack.

Wednesday marked the completion of one week since a group of terrorists paralysed the metropolis by killing and holding hostage hundreds of people in two of the city’s luxury hotels, at a Jewish religious centre and at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

What was to be a peaceful candlelight vigil to show unity against the attacks and to pay respect to those who lost their lives in the mindless killings, turned into a massive people’s protest.

There were people from across the city and from all walks of life holding placards, banners, distributing leaflets with charter of demands or just walking in the crowds.

Many who were just visiting Mumbai also participated in the march.

“Instead of taking the train home we all came here. We have to show our support and we have to protest. We must not sit back and take this drivel by politicians,” said Mukesh Mehta, an accountant with a firm in the Fort area.

Initially the crowd was calm, but as the numbers swelled the atmospehere became more charged and the sloganeering against Pakistan became the most vocal. “Hindustan Zindabad,” “Halla Bol,” “Bharat Mata ke Jai,” and “Hindustan ke shore hai, Mumbai meri jaan hai,” (loosely translated as “India’s pride Mumbai is our life”) were some of the cries.

Hundreds of people carried banners such as “Enough is enough,” “We want action, not rhetoric,” “Mumbaikars wake up, we need to act.”

Others were distributing leaflets, which listed demands that included a uniform civil code.

Street performers, a man dressed as Mahatma Gandhi and other celebrities added a touch of colour if not entertainment to the march.

“We need to be here. Look at the numbers. It is amazing. People are extremely angry. Too many people have lost near ones in the city. We have to show our solidarity. Mumbaikars are amazing,” said Mahesh Patel, a businessmen from Bora Bazaar.

“I got into the crowd and as we began to walk I felt a great sense of nationalism. We are a democracy. Our so called leaders have to listen to us. We have to protest this terrible act,” said Usha Sathe, a housewife from Dadar.

“I have come on work from Delhi, but I thought I had to do my bit for my country when such a terrible tragedy hits us. Participating in this is my contribution. ,” said Ajay Ahuja, a lawyer.

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