Politics is our biggest disaster

by Devi Cherian

(December 09, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) While the politicians have been left wondering why the public ire has fallen on them as they are only mere cogs in the wheel of a much bigger political system, perhaps this is the time for them to realise that they must take a tough stand and fight terror in real earnest

Time is up and the game is over! For politicians who never had governance on their agenda, for the babus who only bootlicked the politicians and also us, the citizens who just watched from the sidelines and thought what we could do so without harm. The Mumbai carnage is a saga of apathy, inaction and insensitivity by all stakeholders in our nation’s unity and integrity. Never before has a terror attack crippled our senses into such shock and disbelief. While the audacity and ferocity of the attack pulverised Mumbai for three-and-a-half days, the aftermath has left festering wounds for the entire nation that may take a long time to heal.

No sooner did terror strike, excuses were being bandied around and the blame game had begun. Brave cops died in bulletproof vests and helmets of 1947 vintage. Absence of civic administration aggravated the response to a crisis situation.

Thanks to our brave Mumbai police chiefs of the ATS and NSG, backed by security forces, Mumbai breathed again, only to witness the most vitriolic outpouring of the public against the politicians. While the most trenchant criticism was reserved for Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra received a good and deserved share of brickbats.

Politicians were left wondering why people got after them only. Rightly so, since they are mere cogs in the political system’s wheels, that defies all logic and comprehension.

The Home Minister may have resigned but what is really required is a proper infrastructure to be put in place. Over years politicians have squandered funds in schemes for the poor with an eye on votes. They have starved the security sector despite topmost priority being given to it.

You cannot expect first rate results with third rate practices. How do you envisage a first world security system with a third world investment? How shameful it is to see policemen wearing antiquated equipment? Should not somebody be taken to task for it? Police cannot act boldly and efficiently when even Supreme Court directed police reforms are not implemented and the right and honest cops are not given command?

The nation now looks up to the PM. Even Chidambaram has to take some bold and harsh steps to galvanise the system. Divorce anti terror measures from politics, bring in cops with proven merit and expertise, triple or quadruple the budget as per need, get latest communication, transport and combat equipment and lastly give them the autonomy to act implementing police reforms. Lastly put a system of harsh punishment for defaulters and incompetent ones. There is one thing more though — Look tough and act tough. - Sri Lanka Guardian