Who bombed Mumbai?

Ashwin Sanghi’s book ‘Chanakya’s Chants’ ruined whatever idealism I thought there might have been in politics.

So I have become cynical about many things. For instance, is Kasab (in custody) the real terrorist who was unleashed in Mumbai that fateful July night? Is it not eerie that the only terrorist who was caught on the cctv cameras was the one finally arrested, and is the only one who survived? Could it be true that there is no Kasab and that ‘details’ of his trial are released periodically to showcase how mean the terrorist is and how ethical we are in giving him a fair trial?

So who bombed Mumbai?

The Pakistanis - Maybe! They have enough troubles at home and a terrorist attack on India is a good diversionary tactic. Besides, they can’t really take off on the US, can they, for coming into Pakistan to ‘eliminate’ Osama? (btw, is it only good timing that the US found Osama now? When Obama was having problems at home? Now people are all praises for his leadership!)

The BJP/Shiv Sena/RSS - Maybe! To bring to fore the inability of the Congress to protect its citizens. None of their moves have borne any fruit - Ramdev has been discredited and even Ayodhya is not attracting enough attention to create fire. A series of bomb blasts in Mumbai is awesome fodder.

The Congress - Maybe. The party is under tremendous fire for inaction and its inability to rise out of corruption and other scandals. Citizens and civil society groups are asking too many questions ; the tv channels also do not give them breathing space. So a ‘terrorist’ attack on Mumbai is a quickie to deflect attention. Sure, the Congress has come under fire because of its inability to protect Mumbaikars, but their lament that Pakistan is out to destabilise India has many sympathisers. Ofcourse we Indians hate Pakis for the way they terrorise us!So, Congress loses a battle, but wins a political war!

Wah! I love this politics business, where everyone is suspect and everyone has an ulterior motive! And anyone could have bombed Mumbai!

Actually anyone - the real estate sharks, the migrant population, the kids who don’t like school, people who wanted a holiday the next day, Ram Gopal Verma who wanted candid shots on his new movie on Maria Susiaraj and 26/11! Anyone could have bombed Mumbai !

The only sad bit - Mumbai has zero infrastructure development and its once impeccable police is corrupt and dances on the tunes of politicians. And yet, Mumbaikars go about their business, not because of their resilient spirit, but because it is an expensive city and people have to work and earn a living.

And I don't think there is a Chanakya in any of the parties who is strategising all this for India's benefit. Atleast the Chanakya of the 3rd BC had ethics!