Salaam Mumbai ?
It’s been exactly one week since the 3 bomb-blasts in Mumbai killed 21 and injured 131 people.I had to google up a news-link to get those numbers right now.On a very related note,I also vividly remember what yesterday’s newspapers were deeply concerned about—-That Katrina Kaif called Rahul Gandhi “half-Indian”.
And my point is?
Frankly,I am wondering if I can even express it.
The day after the blasts,the media was propagating the “Salaam Mumbai” slogan like a sacred tribute.Kids going to school via Zaveri Bazaar were being interviewed.As I looked at their dark eyes with the cheap yellow highlight at the bottom flashing Salaam Mumbai,I realized none of it was a joke.That I was one of the few who wanted to laugh my ass off and yell out “Are you fucking kidding me?!”
I see no bravery in people struggling to get on TV at a bomb-blast site.I see no respect in a bold “YET AGAIN” headline on the newspaper front page.I see no pride in making samosas at the crack of dawn the next day saying “Dhanda band karke kya hoga?” I see no humor in our leaders assuring the country of “saving 99% of terrorist attacks.” I see no yearning for a savior on the face of a dead husband’s wife.I see no justice in the news piece suddenly printed in the middle of the week announcing progress in solving the German Bakery Case.I see no fear in the eyes of those kids on TV as they walked down to school.Forgive me,but I JUST DON’T GET IT.
I see death.I see death of an entity much less and much more tangible than a corpse.
I see death of the very essence of being human.
And,above all the appreciation for the beautifully complicated intricacy of human nature,all I want to do is puke.
I do NOT Salaam Mumbai.
