I AM reading the newspaper, seeing the news and various vacuous TV debates, reading columns and reader responses on the net with a benumbed sense of déjà vu. Everything is so predictable, it is virtually a ‘copy-paste’ job with just dates changed as these files are ‘saved’ and opened again by our media, leaders and citizens. I have been watching for some clues that people have learned some lessons from past. But it is sad that we haven’t.

Media has begun its game of bashing politicians across the spectrum, stringing people along. It is a clever move to tar all politicians in the same shade of black so the general anger is not directed towards the rulers, i.e. Congress in present instance – both at the Centre and in States. It is clear that even after uninterrupted rule of last 7 years, this government has not been able to undertaken any serious steps to counter looming danger of terrorism. (Let us not talk of 50 years of rule right now as situation is totally different since last decade.) How can media influence people in bashing ‘all’ politicians and discredit the entire democratic political system.

Pray, tell me, what are people supposed to do? Repeat nauseating statements about, ‘being united in this hour of tragedy’, ‘terrorism has no religion’ etc. etc.? What is opposition supposed to do? Wave a white flag in face of devastation resulting from ruling party’s apathetic performance and lack of governance? They must do their job or bringing errors of rulers to people’s attention.

While terrorists were busy preparing afresh after lying low after last major attacks, our rulers felt comforted with their silence. Instead of pursuing major terror cases to catch and punish the guilty, it went on witch hunting against a small band of Hindu radicals and went to town blaming ‘saffron terrorism’ for all the ills facing the country. They felt that by arresting half a dozen Hindu extremists they had brought peace to our country! They virtually stopped intelligence gathering, implementation of even minimum reforms advocated by Pradhan committee and others, happy that their vote banks are safe in their custody for the next election. That is all they can think of – next election.

These same rulers have reduced police system to tatters, with half of these poorly clothed, fed and armed police putting  more manpower and energy to protect our ‘leaders’ than securing people. Yes, here even other political leaders deserve to be criticized. But, they cannot be criticized for non-working governments at centre and state.

A police force with one hand tied at the back with oral directives not to touch ‘x’ type of people or ‘y’ type of underworld gangsters. Why would a police put his career at stake if he is going to be hauled over the coals by rulers, human rights activists and subsequently the law for taking firm action against some elements?

What about us, citizens? Let me share my experience on the very day of this terror attack. I saw a ‘gentleman’ shouting loudly at a security guard of a store for daring to check his bag! When I asked him gently to let the guy do his job, he protested,“Do I look like a terrorist?” On the very next crossing, a big Xylo purposely pushed a Hondo City to the divider, damaging that car and two young educated, ‘civilized’ people came down, punched the lone member of the other car. Two policemen came and asked them to park on the kerb without following them and they simply drove away! The poor injured owner of the other car complained to police and they started questioning him, so the shaken person too drove away. When I questioned the policemen, they claimed ‘how do we know who is the culprit? If the other party ran way, what can we do?’ They clearly saw the victim’s car being pushed into corner and damaged, but couldn’t ‘judge’ who was at fault! So best way was to contrive a situation that problem melted away. It was the same traffic crossing where journalist Dey was murdered! And we talk of security we talk of people being awakened! Are we not to blame equally for flouting laws, being totally indisciplined, leaving ‘politicians’ to take care of the society while we worry only of our own livelihood and fun? Aren’t we part of such a scenario nearly every day? If one were to count law breakers as a per cent of population, I am sure, we educated class would outscore poor citizens easily. And we are called ‘civil society’!

What about media? It still hasn’t learnt its lessons.  Still, throwing mud at others to look whiter. Still, sensationalizing, showing same shots, same interviews repeatedly, sermonizing on ‘not politicizing the tragedy’! The so called liberalism is reaching new heights with people like BarkhaDutt asking rhetorically, ‘Will hanging Kasab or Afzal Guru stop terror attacks?’ This line of argument is so sick that I don’t even feel like responding to it. Why nobody is suggesting simple workable solutions like having more dog squads patrolling crowded areas for suspect objects, taking care that CCTVs work and their data is saved, that police is given freedom to work without ‘secular’ slant or interference, that they are given proper arms and ammunition?

Please don’t talk philosophy to us from your protected homes and offices. Enough of it. Take firm action that deters mischief makers. Hindus know we can have rebirth. But, we are worried about this birth. No sage or sect told us to waste away this precious life.

Let us stop being hysterical at rulers, politicians, media – just tell them where to get off.

Sorry, my well meaning philosophers, this is a war. You need to be sure on whose side you are. If you wish to live your lives in comfort of ‘grey zones of philosophy’, so be it. Don’t confuse common citizens – let them be clear what is right and what is wrong. If it is politically incorrect, so be it.