I will, again, sleep peacefully in my bed tonight also.
I slept when Kanishka was blown up. I slept when hindus killed muslims, when muslims killed hindus – regardless of age, gender or region. I slept when sikhs were gutted and killed. I slept when Kashmir burnt. I slept when a plane full of passengers and crew was taken to Kandahar. I slept when Biharis were targeted. And so will I sleep tonight when Mumbai once again burns. I am an Indian. I sleep.
My country has been taken hostage not by terrorists. No, not by terrorists, but by people within it - ruling it. My country and my countrymen are held hostage and captive by its incompetent, uneducated, dishonest, exploitative, impotent, inefficient politicians, government and all its administrative departments.
Efficiency is shown in bribing and in buying votes and seats, competence in bringing down other parties, expertise in bringing discord and playing divisive politics.
Regionalism has reared its ugly head because I am sleeping. Reservation is still strongly advocated because I am sleeping. Corruption is deep – rooted because I am sleeping.
Raj Thackeray targets poor, unarmed Biharis but sits snugly under tight security when terrorists strike. A well published writer endorses Thackeray's dastardly action but shuts up when Mumbai is blown apart. It is easy to hound the poor labourer from Bihar than it is to raise your finger leave alone your voice against the organised terrorist. Crime and lawlessness are second nature. Criminals go free, breathing easy under a distorted system that protects their rights, whereas a Pragya is tortured, Sanjay Dutt is not left in peace.
Every politician looks out for himself and himself alone. We have a defence ministry which defends only itself when it is found sleeping. And they are sleeping because I am sleeping. When I do rouse myself it is only for myself - to target the neighbour's dog because his nocturnal barking is disturbing my beauty sleep. No, a hundred barking dogs cannot wake me.
Criminals are made ministers because I sleep. Rapists go free when an eighty year old is penalised for smoking! Smoking is banned, bombs are allowed.
I do not fear the terrorist from across the border. I fear the terrorist lurking within the country who wears khadi and who always comes in the guise of the unqualified politician, begging at my door with folded hands, a hypocritical smile on his smug face asking for my vote.
Who do I vote for? The rapist or the religious fanatic? The murderer or the underworld don? Which honourable criminal is worthy of my esteemed vote?
My heart bleeds but I will sleep on my soft mattress under my warm blanket. I am the long suffering, resilient Indian who has somehow lost his identity among Biharis, Marathis, Kannadigas, muslims, hindus, christians, brahmins .sikhs, the list is endless.
Regards,
Naseeruddin Shah
27th November, 2008
