www.expressindia.com - Weather | Horoscope | Stocks | RSS
expressindia web city
HomeBlogsCricketAstrologyShopping TendersClassifieds Opinions Hotels
Sign In / Register | Archive
Expressindia » Story

'We want action now’, thousands chant across India

Font Size

Agencies

Posted: Dec 03, 2008 at 1228 hrs IST
Mumbai

Mumbai Tens of thousands of people across the country poured into the streets and held candle-light vigils and peace marches on Wednesday evening in a spontaneous show of solidarity with residents of terror-ravaged Mumbai which saw an unprecedented turnout at Gateway of India voicing their anger against the politicians.

Shouting slogans, people gathered in Jantar Mantar in Delhi, near Cubbon park in Bangalore, War Memorial in Secunderabad and at the Maidan and College street in Kolkata, Lucknow and Chennai as Mumbai emerged from the pall of shock and grief that hung over the city since the 26/11 attacks that claimed 181 lives.

Posters and placards vividly captured the anger and concern as young and old, women and children thronged the iconic red sandstone Gateway to India opposite the Taj Mahal hotel which along with Trident-Oberoi bore the brunt of last Wednesday's terror attacks.

‘Enough of terrorism’, ‘Let us kill terrorism Halla Boll!’, ‘Politicians get out’ and ‘We want actions not words’ were some of the messages conveyed in banners and placards.

"We have never seen such a show of solidarity for a single cause at the Gateway of India," said Ad guru Prahlad Kakkar, as white candles were lit around a wreath of red roses laid on the cobbled plaza of the harbour front structure.

As dusk fell, the Taj Mahal was fully lit with roads packed with people right from Colaba police station till the Gateway and Regal.

In other metros too, anger was the all pervasive emotion.

In Kolkatta, a Pakistani flag was burnt by protestors who condemned Islamabad's ‘hand’ in the terror attack. 'Enough is enough,' said a placard in Bangalore.

"Terrorism has no religion. People should unite in the fight against terror," said Sandeep Mishra, an engineer at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

The protestors in Kolkatta observed a minute's silence in memory of the terror victims. People thronged the rally venues largely due to the viral SMS phenomenon started as a small peace initiative by two survivors.

Protestors lashed out at the system reflecting their perceived apathy against politicians and asked authorities to take action and guarantee people security instead of providing mere ‘lip service’.

Women and children lit candles and bowed their heads in prayer at several venues.

In Bangalore, some banners demanded war against Pakistan as rallyists showed a mix of compassion and rage while displaying their emotions. ‘Politicians, get out,’ read a banner in Hyderabad while another said ‘politicians should take responsibility.’

At the Gateway, a sea of humanity gathered and the national anthem was sung as tears streamed down the face of several people with anxiety and anguish writ large on their faces. Strains of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ also rent the air triggering patriotic fervour.

A group passed around armbands asking people to wear it and keep it till ‘we get results’.

Kakkar implored people to stop paying bribes ‘if we have to make a new start.’

Rallyists condemned leaders for laxity against terrorism as they kept spontaneous vigils and converted anger into call for ‘change.’ Text messages by the dozen called for Mumbaikars to ‘tell the leaders and politicians that we want our safety.’

At the Jantar Mantar, Zulfikar Ali, a software engineer, said the only way to address the ‘crucial and distressing’ issue of terrorism is by becoming a part of the solution.

"After all, as along as India is 'of the people, for the people, by the people', we will be fully responsible for the change that we want to see in her," Ali said.

Discuss this story on expressindia forums
Post Comments
Name* Email ID*
Subject* Country*
Message*
Characters remaining
 
TERMS OF USE: The views, opinions and comments posted are your, and are not endorsed by this website. You shall be solely responsible for the comment posted here. The website reserves the right to delete, reject, or otherwise remove any views, opinions and comments posted or part thereof. You shall ensure that the comment is not inflammatory, abusive, derogatory, defamatory &/or obscene, or contain pornographic matter and/or does not constitute hate mail, or violate privacy of any person (s) or breach confidentiality or otherwise is illegal, immoral or contrary to public policy. Nor should it contain anything infringing copyright &/or intellectual property rights of any person(s).
I agree to the terms of use.
Poloticians vs leaders!!! by Ram on 03 Dec 2008

if you cannot become a prostitute u become a politician. There ae too many politicians but no leaders in this country. A politician sways to popular opinion where as leader leads, cajoles, educates and sells the ideas and policies he belivies are good.

Stop pseudo-secularism, it is creating terrorists by Ashok Sen on 03 Dec 2008

PM should sack and put under POTA all pro-terrorist elements in UPA like Paswan, Lallu, Mulayam, Amar, Arjun etc. Next ban CPM/CPI/Muslim league etc. fort he national security. Using 'secularism' to creat non-existent minority discrimination to create terror should be banned. If that is the case what should Hindus in Pakistan/Bangladesh, Malaysia and other muslim countries do? How many of them are rich Industralists, former president/governer/Generals? Accusing most tolerant hindus as people discriminating against minorities (as coached by westerners/leftists) is wrong. Ask an Indian Jew, Jain or Parsee if such thing exists.. Not motivated groups bent on converting India in to an Islamic land or bent on harvesting hindu souls to christ or making it another failed communist state.

Attack the PAKISTAN first by Ibrahimpasha on 03 Dec 2008

I don't know why our Politicians are trying to be so tolerant in front of world. .Right now We have so many proofs against pakistan. So We should First speak in Bullets Language then if necessary should use words. " LATOON KE BHOOT BATOON SE NAHIN MANTE. So Attack First.

Citizens' Initiative by Sunaina on 03 Dec 2008

if anyone knows of a Citizens' Initiative ,not affiliated to a political party or a religious group, please let me know. Also, in the interest of our country, let's be disciplined ourselves so that we can rightfully demand discipline and effective governance by those who want to be our leaders.

Why not tackle the root cause by Indian on 03 Dec 2008

Simple solution: send home all parties supporting terrorism for getting votes: that is, send out Congress, Communists, DMK, etc.

LEADER OF STRENGTH TO TACKLE PROBLEMS by B S GANESH BANGALORE on 03 Dec 2008

WE need good patriotic leaders like Sardar Vallabai Patel who tackled HYDERABD RAJAKAR problem saying " Swords must be met with swords". If he behaved like present day power greedy politicians there would have been another Pakisatn inide India

People have the right.....they are fed up of Jinnah secular types.. by Nautankee on 03 Dec 2008

Sir, the people are correctly fed up with the politicians. They are being attacked by terrorists on one side and on the other they are being ruled by Babubhai Katara and Advani likes. When so ever our honest officers and commandoes are in the process of foiling a terrorist attac, then these sorts interferre in their work, and they also demaned to narco test our Hero Hemant Karkare.Now who would work with honesty in India?No one, because every hones person is either attacked and killed by etrrorists or by dirty politicians.

Action against PAK now by rajiv rangan on 03 Dec 2008

It is not simply putting pressure on PAK, just go and bomb all the terrorists camps across the border. Thats the only solution to bring an end to this menace they are creating in our country. And, finally, throw out this Condi Rice visiting us to fool us and tell us to show restrain! They are the ones giving all these opportunities to PAKis to create this menace in the worl.

Solution by Krishna on 03 Dec 2008

Solution: 1. Start on a war footing National Identity cards. Link it to Driver license, IT payment and rations for those eligible. Make it possible for the Police station to check the validity of an id card.2. Secure the borders. Remove all traces of pakisitani - anti India symbols across India.3.Ensure that all policemen get regulated diets. They should be one notch below the NSGs.4.The PM should initiate the steps without a party bias. Let PM and Opposition leader jointly announce and monitor it separately.

A Congress machination? by Vilas Waghmare on 03 Dec 2008

I have seriously started feeling that this whole thing is being carefully orchestrated by Congres, so that, after a while, Congress government will declare war against Pakistan and get popularity for the 2009 Elections

Shame on you 'Politicians/ Congress Government' by Raj on 03 Dec 2008

On 02nd Dec at 8:19 pm after taking time of almost 4 days, Indian congress government still waiting for any more positive signs from US, European Govt for its action against pakistan. Does it have any guts to go ahead and strike as US, Israel will act upon minor terror action in their soil.?Whether these politicians

US can help to India by giving anti missile defence from pak missiles by Sarath on 03 Dec 2008

Every body expects same, US will pressure India to stop going for War, because their soldiers suffer in Afghanistan, and same for EU and Arab countries, both Pak and China continue this mayhem in India for another few decades, until India becomes Somalia, so then Pak and India can fight everyday.Without looking at US

PSUEDO SECULARISTS by MVC on 03 Dec 2008

PSUEDO SECULARS BROUGHT THIS SOFT STAND OF INDIA. LOOK AT PAKISTAND THEY DO NOT EVEN ACCEPT THAT REMAINING TERRORIST IS FORM THEIR LAND!SOMETHING IS COMMON TO PLITICIANS AND PSEUDO SECULARISTS IS THAT BOTH ARE SELFISH AND CAN ONLY TALK, BUT REAL ACTION ZERO! NEVERTHLESS BOTH ARE GOOD AT ACTING ON TV AND ON SCREEN!

Politicians should be shot dead first by Ajit on 03 Dec 2008

My respected countrymen, I don't think there is any use of urging the politicians at this issue, as they themselve are the terrorists inside the country. They can only give words not the action. India need to announce war against pakistan and the terrorism which these politicians will never do coz they themselve must be having thier own interests. If i would be given a chance I would rather finish these politicians first as they are the one responsible for it. The terrirists or pakistan know that there will be no reaction from Indian governemnt, so they can do what they want. India need to attack Pakistan if we want safe and happy future ahead!!! Jai Hind!

A Clear direction by nags on 03 Dec 2008

Everyone is angry..frustrated....but clearly there is no direction...who are these people targeting...what do they want...is there a clear goal...everyone wants something done...but do not know what it is....there is so much energy but without direction it will dissipate very soon and people will return to what they normally do ..talk and vent their anger and frustration until the next attack... Is there a leader (No not another politician...) out there somewhere that can lead these destitute "indians' ...No we dont need another Mahatma but someone with a fraction of his strength ..Someone stand up and take responsibility...Is that too much to ask in a nation of 1.1 billion....

India was warned about the attacks by Albert on 03 Dec 2008

Try to understand as even Ratan Tata has told they were told about the risks. They have security set up for a month and then it was slowly eased out. It is very difficult to keep high state of alert all the time. This is even recognised in US. In India I would not be surprised we receive - hundreds of pieces of information about potential Terrorist Attack. But nothing is concrete. Also, the terrorist captured acknowledged that they delayed the attack from Sept 27th. The best way to protect is being offensive and kill the terrorists in their own hide-out.The issue is not Politicans - Because they are selected by us. The issue is we as citizens are selecting persons who patronize terrorists and are many of them are criminals - IT is nothing but WE WE WE are responsible for it. See below examples1. We have select Paswan with during election moved with a person who had Osama Bon Laden to get votes - What does it say? He has supporting terrorist. We elected him.

we have to chase them! by Mohan on 03 Dec 2008

If Indira Gandhi would have been there, by this time our air force would have been raided Pakistan, she would have not called for so called all party meeting, a meeting in which all nationalized terrorist attends without AK-47 in their hand. The police fighting with the terrorist had just a stone age wooden rifle, where as for the politicians who mounts millions in corruption had been given 100’s of police as security and body guards with AK-47; even east Asian countries like Philippines, Thailand etc, people rose against the government and changed the government, but we as public to be blamed ourselves not the politicians. We, the public is responsible for everything, they know how to cheat us; we have to rise up and chase these politicians till their verge of their life.

MERA BHARAT MAHAN? by champak ghosh on 03 Dec 2008

WHO IS THERE TO HELP ME IN THIS BIG COUNTRY....LEADERS/POLITICIANS/SECURITY SYSTEM...REMEMBER ALL OF THEM ARE USELESS.YOU BETTER START HELP YOURSELF AND PUT A POINT TO YOUR EMPLOYER TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR ENTIRE TAX PAYMENT IS GOING TO NSG AND SUCH OTHERS AT YOUR RESCUE.KINDLY DON'T VOTE ,IF YOU DO SO YOU WILL BE OFFERING MORE TERRORS.

our ladders by sanjeeb on 03 Dec 2008

ladies and gentleeeeemen who are u writing it for. do not forget our ladders (leaders - i call them so) can not read these massages. They are illlllliterattttte. And when asked my so called muslime brother he told me they only follow koran, while killing kafers like hindus. He told me, their policies are to marry hindu girls and kill hindu boys. He also proudly told me Raj Thakarre JINDA BAD. Of course according to my openion he is right, our ladders are right, Raj Thakkare was right to divide the country. Only we 1.29 Billion c'man citizens are wriong. Ladder Log Ko Kam Karne Bolne se, Wo Log Rape Kar Dalta Hi. It is not their mistake - Bhi Up Kam Karne Bole Ho. May i ask desdrohi Raj Thakkare desh ko divide karne ke li-e aor koi policy apna rahe ho kya-- ya Uncle Buddha Thakkare ka dhoti ke niche se dek rahe ho kya ho raha hai. I am not against Thakkares our ever leaders are same as Raj Thakkare. every one. May be our ladders are targeting me now. who knows.

Who to Blame? by Guru on 03 Dec 2008

I am bit surprized to see all the focus on the polititions. We elected them. We seek faviors from them reservations, cast politics you name it we do it. them balme some one else. First clean up our own acts before blame someone else. See how these people drive on the roads no respects for the fellow citizens. First you respect your fellow human as equals as you are then no one in the world will beat us even these cowards who came by boat will be dead before arrival. I guarentee that. Self respect and humanity is only saviours of this great country.

Indian politician ONLY talks - NO ACTION by Sanjay on 03 Dec 2008

Indian politician ONLY talks. They don’t have any guts to take strongest action against terrorist an (Pakistan). This country has been created with violence and they are not going to leave violence. India is facing terrorism since 1981 due to the terrorist an. Thanks to Indian politicians (Not using word “Our Politicians”). It’s India’s bed luck that we have no political leaders like Indira Gandhi or Lala Bahadoor Shashtri or just likes Israel political leadership.If security force take any action then Mullas fouj like - Mulayam shing, Amara shingh, Lala Prasad yadav, Shivraj patil comes out and start bashing security forces. I am wondering these Fouj has not raised any question about the killing of Major Sandeep Unikrishnan and other NSG commandos and copes. They could have said that – all died with their colleges bullets.Today what we are facing these all problems due to – Indian politicians. By looking at them – my blood stats boiling. I am 100

wake up by shivam on 03 Dec 2008

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH MR MANMOHAN SONIA LALOO MULAYAAM PARAKASH KARAT ENOUGH! 60 YEARS YOU HAVE RAPED HINDU CONCSCIOUS. NOW WAKE UP. THIS IS THE END OF PSEUDO SECULARISM. WHERE IS JAVED AKHTAR, WHERE IS SHAHRUKH KHAN, WHERE IS SHABNA AZMI WHERE IS ARUNDHATI ROY WHERE IS SONIA GANDHI WHERE IS RAHUL GANDI? WHERE ARE THEY?NOT HEARD FROM THEM? WAKE UP. NO MORE PSEUDO SECULARISM NOW.

When will we react??? by Monu on 03 Dec 2008

Dear Mr. Prime Minister, Its high time we take action against these terrorists. US attacked Afghanistan after WTC attack. We still maintain hands crossed even after several bomb blasts and terror attacks in Mumbai. Its pity that our politicians are still running to get votes for coming election. Best examples are the controversies in Kerala and Mumbai where our politicians are trying to politicize each and every issues of Mumbai blast. I still do not understand how these people get time for such silly issues when the whole nation is under security threat. Why cant they work towards the progress instead of biting each other for petty reasons? We cant leave the fate of our country into these irresponsible politicians. We do not want history to be repeated. If only our ancestors were united, British would not have ruled us. We need to stand united and fight for the country. We need determined and strong leaders who can really work for the country.

A much awaited people movement!! Greate and welcomed whole heartedly!! by Manu on 03 Dec 2008

a much awaited people movement is coming out!! Great. these people out are neutral in politics and this is movement needed, thoug late but better late thatn ever, to make the politicains answerable for the actions!! People should push them to take actions. We need a people movement across the coutry forgetting the factors seperating us like relegion, region, caste so and so forth, like this where the politicians should come out and give the answers and they should get a feeling that they are really accountable to the public. Now its like the middle class mainly the working class are always interested in their job never bother to come out in publilc so only the party workers take advantage of the matters.. WE need to educate each other about the sense of nationalism and unity. TO be honest. India is famous for it unity in diversity but it seems that is becoming a curse for our country and we should not allow that to happen. Come on India!! Jai HIND!

strong action by prasad on 03 Dec 2008

if you don not action now it will be useless, put more presure on Pak.

Latest News

Business

Showbiz

Sports

Yeddyurappa cries on TV, blames Reddys for turmoil

Maha gets new govt, 2 weeks after Assembly poll results

Advani to quit after new party president takes over: RSS

Appointed by Lalu, sacked by Mamata

Tawang ready to welcome Dalai Lama

Voting ends in R'sthan by-polls, 50% polling recorded

College closures leave Indian students high-and-dry in Oz

More
Featured Services
© 2009 The Indian Express Limited. All rights reserved
The Indian Express Group | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Work With Us | Site Map