Apathetic Government

I don't know whether apathy or pathetic-ness is a better way to describe the attitude of the government to the gruesome event last week in Mumbai. This is a government that has raised inaction and incapability to a new high. From the time that the attacks till almost a full day later, no official spokesperson from the government appeared on national television to inform India's citizens of what was going on, what was being done and what the citizens should be doing, how they could help. And what we got after the day's wait was a low-voiced mumble reading out a speech which made the words "We are not prepared to countenance a situation in which the safety and security of our citizens can be violated with impunity by terrorists" sound less threatening than my daughter's threat of 'Chandamama tumhare sar be broke doonga' ( I'll break the moon over your head.

Nobody from the powers-that-think-they-be thought that there was a need to control and direct the flow of information about what was going on. The tailor's dummy distinguished himself by revealing exactly when the NSG team was going to reach the site, thoughtfully giving the terrorists time to prepare. Various people at the site helpfully relayed every detail of what was happening and what was planned to the waiting media. Whatever information has been gathered from the captured terrorists is out in the public domain.

The Prime Minister didn't think it was important to address the nation after this harrowing ordeal was over ( not that that mumble would have made much sense to anyone) to offer words of comfort or acknowledge the depth of tragedy we witnessed. The CM thought it was important to go sightseeing with his son and movie director. The deputy CM thinks it wasn't a big deal because 'in big cities, these incidents happen'. Rumour has it that between 25 and 40 terrorists landed in Mumbai and only 10 or so have been accounted for. Given our 'intelligence', they could be anywhere in India by now, and be planning an attack on another city. But there is no advisory from the government suggesting that people in the big cities stay away from crowded public places, malls etc.

Nobody knows what the government was doing during the rescue operations, and it almost seems like the government only cared about the political fallout of the same. Surely it would not have been difficult to create a sense of unity in the face of such an event, to give people the reassurance that the government is watching, is concerned and cares. But then, that's assuming the government actually gives a damn...

Comments

Anonymous said…
i think youre stupid
Anonymous said…
you are really stupid
Cee Kay said…
Anon, really????

You just trying to be friendly? Or does this kind of pathetic and trollish behaviour come natural to you? It is one thing to disagree WITH reasons. It is a whole different ballgame if you just get abusive for no apparent reason. Civil people don't do that, you know? No one tell you that? Or did you just learn a new word and wanted to practise it somewhere?
Cee Kay said…
BEV, in my rage over anon's comment, I forgot to write I agree with you on this one! It is really pathetic if, after such a gruesome incident, no one from the government thinks it is important enough to make a public statement. It is the pits if someone actually says/thinks it isn't a big deal because in big cities these incidents happen. WTF?? I guess it is this apathy and mentality, and nothing else, which makes the terrorists' work easier.
Unknown said…
Hi I didn't read this earlier . But yes I agree with you . Watching the NDTV programme tonight brought back the whole episode so vividly .

Ooh Anon arent you clever? You just learnt a new word so you get an A for learning it and an A++ for reiterating it . Or does it mean "hi" in Anon land ? What is your justification for calling this blogger stupid I wonder ?
the mad momma said…
hmmm.... I wonder whats worse. Being stupid, or being spineless, nameless and a lily livered coward...
Unknown said…
MM if you want to grade those adjectives and apply them they'd all qualify for an A++
dipali said…
Anon seems to be indulging in gratuitous attention seeking behaviour. Would you like some more words to add to your vocabulary, anon? Do let us know.
IBH said…
Anon dear...u really need to get ur head examined...that is all i have to offer here !

BEV, i do agree with this post...
Subhashree said…
Yes Anon, you are really stupid.
bird's eye view said…
Anonymous - I think my friends have already given you a fair piece of their minds. But just in case that didn't din any wisdom into your head, let me add my two bits. I have no problem if you disagree with my opinion and argue your point of view out. But if you just put in comments like this, to use your own limited vocabulary ( do you know what that means?) and to hoist you with your own petard ( look it up!), I think YOU are really stupid.

GTN - yes, one of the things that really bothered me during that time was the complete lack of reaction or any move to reassure people or control the flow of information. My father headed media handling when he was in government and I just reflected back to the way he would manage these things. There's no way he would have left the government be such an invisible entity.

PS. Thanks, Gals
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