The National Security Guards (NSG) commandos fought relentlessly; the police, fire-fighters and news channel reporters, were all awake until the situation was brought under control. In addition, the whole of India was awake and waited for the ordeal to end. The whole execution and the duration of the assault made everyone realise that it was not such a simple attack. In such a scenario, the reaction of Patil, that such incidents occur in big cities, was even more shocking. Patil realised his ignorance only when his remark was squarely criticised from all quarters. Though the gentleman immediately tried to make amends, his voice and body language did not show any concern.

Deshmukh went a few steps ahead. It appeared as if he went out for dinner with his two sons and Ramgopal Verma to discuss his next film. On the way they peeped into the ransacked Taj so Verma could get some directional ideas and Deshmukh some applause. Deshmukh’s confidence in taking the people for granted is commendable. During the stroll, he was in a jovial mood and talked to reporters. When a reporter asked if there was any pressure for his resignation from the Centre, he cut a joke by saying "at the moment I get the pressure from you”; then he laughed, perhaps immensely pleased with his own wit; others around him joined in, dutifully. The chief minister had kept his wits about him.

The visuals we saw of the Taj Hotel on television after the assault, was horrible, to say the least - the ransacked rooms, broken glasses and innumerable marks of bullets. All this made one shiver even while watching it on the television screen. How could the CM remain unaffected after seeing this in person? Deshmukh was not even upset after seeing the destruction. How could one, more so a chief minister, take it so lightly. Far from being sombre, he was disgustingly jovial.

Given such reactions from the leaders of our country, one wonders if they are in their senses. Every individual is accountable for his deeds; he has to face the outcome of his actions. If a student does not study hard he has to face failure at the examinations; if an employee does not perform his job properly, he has to be sacked. Even the bai ( maid servant) has to face action if she does not do her job properly. If the sense of accountability is so active in us, do we often hold our leaders accountable for the job we assign to them? Is resignation good enough to shirk responsibility? If they have not been able to do what they ought to, they must be brought to book, must not they?