Crap

No. Not a post about the movie.

I know, it’s probably a recommendation too late, and all-too-common in the current Indian context – yet, for all those that haven’t seen the movie yet, “A Wednesday” is definitely a must-watch.

To put it in perspective, i’d say that the undercurrent flowing with the movie is one which should certainly not be followed to it’s fullest extent. Yet, it’s a theme that can be assertively used as a weapon unto both ends – one, let some people [people?] know that there is an upper limit till which unrest and violent discord can perpetuate society, and two, let the obviously unscrupulous authorities know that some day the common man bears the potential to break free.

The much-burdened common man [common man, funny term, i must add!] will someday take matters into his [or her] own hands. It has happened often in the past, wherein revolutions crushed inefficient administrations, and wrote out a new constitution. If one were to look closely, revolutions rarely occur to kill a foreign [or in the current Indian context, internal but hidden] enemy, instead, these revolutions dethrone the inefficient administration that fails to protect the populous from such anti-social elements.

In a way, this is exactly why the so-called “US War on Terror” seems to be a drain on resources. It is far more meaningful [and assuring] to expend resources on fortifying one’s own defenses, and bringing efficiency and accountability into a system that is innate to our existence, rather than chase and attempt to exterminate an extraneous conjuncture.

Instead of spending resources combating unpredictable [and often, unsurmountable, as terrorism undeniably is] evils, it is more effective to make ourselves better equipped to respond once the attack has occured. I do not say that we should stop chasing terrorists [if such a term as terrorists may be used in generality]. Yet, it is far more important to work on mechanisms of rapid data gathering post-an attack. Simply because we can not observe the plan when it is formalised, and it is near impossible to stop someone from hitting someone, for the simple reason that humans are too diverse, and not-at-all monotonous, and we can not say who will do what, and when.

However, once the attack has occurred, we should look into it rapidly, for traces and paths followed whence the job is done. Difficult, yes, but waaay more practical. Yes, India is far too diverse and massive, but there are the following points that can be looked into for an more efficient terror combating mechanism. Or better, let me not list out the points. I’m no expert at this. The mechanisms are, no doubt, drawn up by better minds than myself. All i can ask for, then, is for a more focussed implementation of those plans.

Of all points that i could have raised, there is one that stands paramount. And let me put it thus

Regarding the question of a foreign attack on the country, i can not answer. However, most of the unrest in the nation exists for the simple reason that the country is no solitary cohesive unit. Regional politics [yes, observe the word in italics very strongly], and the perpetuated casteist [caste, religion, sex...i include all these in generality - so, when i say caste, get the point!] discord is one of the prime causes for terrorism to foster, and even become popular, in the country. Until such unnecessary divides are not overcome, terrorism will not die out – for the simple reason that

Terrorism flows in us. The words that run through our minds when we see a guy from another clan at his prayers, or the remarks we pass, adhering to “Oh, she’s Muslim, i can’t marry her!”, and so on.

No, i have no issues with Muslim girls [ ;) ], on the contrary, i seem to be fairly attracted to one. But that’s off the point.

Not till we stop bickering enwithin, can we hope to stop those that come from outside. Did you ever realise that even though the bombing plans may come from a foreign land [am really in the mood to name a few foreign nations, but then again, the biggest terrorist still remains our internal differences, within India], the guys who carry these events out, are native to our own motherland?

Why?

Answer that question, and the entire problem-statement will unfurl in front of your very eyes. Solutions, my friends, are easy to make up – it’s pin-pointing the correct problem that counts above all.

Think about it. [and this, i state addressing our dear babus] B’coz if you don’t, believe me, we will. And then, you won’t like it. It’s all very easy to blame Pakistan, or China, or even Fiji for that matter, but, for once, place the blame wherein it really lies -

In ourselves.

And to every common man, here’s a thought for you too -

Don’t follow what the movie says. But let the government realise that you possess the drive to go to such lengths if you wish to. And let them know, that you’ve started wishing. And planning for a nice Diwali gift for aamchya Sarkar.

~ A common man. Invisible, yet, proactive.

PS. This post comes in the backdrop of two rather sharp posts attacking my seniors in my institute. People often tell me not to be so overt and outspoken. More often than not, i suffer more pain out of the backlash than the person i spoke out against, even though i may have stood for the rightful cause. All i can tell [to all those that care for me, and ask me to shut my crap] is this,

I speak. For someone ought to. I will suffer, maybe, but someday, another voice will stand up to support me, and maybe more. It’ll take time, yes, but someday, the winds of change shall blow into our lands. Until they do, i persevere. Quite obviously, i will commit some wrong myself, someday. And then, i expect someone else to correct me. Simple – If there is a wrong somewhere, expend some blood [figuratively speaking] to correct it. In the end, it won’t go in waste.

Trust me, it won’t.