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National  / Opinion Web | Nov 27, 2008
Address To The Nation
'There Would Be A Cost...'
'If suitable measures are not taken,' by our neighbours, says the PM, and 'that the use of their territory for launching attacks on us will not be tolerated.' And says 'whatever his affiliation or religion may be', the perpetrators would be made to pay 'a heavy price for these cowardly and horrific acts against our people'
Also In This Story   
Terror
Firing, explosions, bombs, bloody encounters ... Deaths, injuries, hostages... targeting the iconic landmarks -- Taj and Trident Hotels, Metro Cinema, CST... it was a nightmare just before the city had gone to sleep
Terror Chronology
Some of the recent terror incidents in India
Mumbai Terror
Dressed in a black half T-shirt and jeans with a blue rucksack hung over his left shoulder and a red sacred thread tied on his right wrist...
Opinion
I shiver and sweat at the thought of what is waiting to happen tomorrow and where. The mind boggles as one tries to think and figure out how the terrorists could have planned and carried out terrorist strikes of such magnitude, territorial spread and ferocity without our intelligence and police having been able to get scent of it
B. Raman
An unprecedented series of co-ordinated terror attacks targetting Mumbai's iconic landmarks leaves over 100 dead. And yet the city's horrors do not end with the night.
Opinion
They came out from the sea, while the Indian security agencies remained very much there. If anyone needed a lesson on how to conduct special operations from the sea, they could take a leaf out of the terrorists who attacked Mumbai
Saikat Datta
Opinion
During a hostage crisis. Please note that I am not advocating censorship. I am all for free speech and expression. What I am proposing, is that security agencies should have the power to impose a delay of say three to six hours w.r.t live reporting of anti terror operations.
Shrinidhi Hande
Opinion
Mr LK Advani has offered to the PM his party's full cooperation against terrorism. That is not enough. The PM should respond by inviting all the major national and regional parties to join a national government. And to declare a National Emergency
Rajinder Puri
Opinion
The endless and ill-informed debates on legal vs. developmental vs. political vs. negotiated vs. policing vs. military responses are fruitless. This entire spectrum – from use of extreme force to negotiations and conciliation – is comprehended within the notion of 'counter-terrorism'.
K.P.S. Gill
For The Record
Maintenance of peace, tranquility, communal harmony and patriotic unity must be our highest priority. I spoke to the Prime Minister ... he called me to suggest that both of us should travel together to Mumbai to examine the situation, express solidarity with the security forces... I have readily agreed to his proposal.
L.K. Advani
The dastardly terror attacks that took place in Mumbai last night and today leading to the loss of many precious lives and injuries to many others have deeply shocked the nation. I strongly condemn these acts of senseless violence against innocent people, including guests from foreign countries. I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and sympathies to those injured. The Government will take all necessary measures to look after the wellbeing of the affected families, including medical treatment of injured.

The well-planned and well-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of panic, by choosing high profile targets and indiscriminately killing foreigners.

I salute the courage and patriotism of the police officers, including the Chief of the Anti-Terror Squad, Shri Hemant Karkare and men who have laid down their lives in fighting these terrorists. I assure the country that we will attend in an urgent and serious manner to police reform so that the law and order authorities can work unitedly, effectively and in a determined manner to tackle such threats to national integrity.

We are not prepared to countenance a situation in which the safety and security of our citizens can be violated with impunity by terrorists. It is evident that the group which carried out these attacks, based outside the country, had come with single-minded determination to create havoc in the commercial capital of the country.

We will take the strongest possible measures to ensure that there is no repetition of such terrorist acts. We are determined to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure the safety and security of our citizens.

Instruments like the National Security Act will be employed to deal with situations of this kind. Existing laws will be tightened to ensure that there are no loopholes available to terrorists to escape the clutches of the law. Most importantly, it is essential to immediately set up a Federal Investigation Agency to go into terrorist crimes of this kind and ensure that the guilty are brought to book.

We will take up strongly with our neighbours that the use of their territory for launching attacks on us will not be tolerated, and that there would be a cost if suitable measures are not taken by them. We will take a number of measures to strengthen the hands of our police and intelligence authorities. We will curb the flow of funds to suspect organizations. We will restrict the entry of suspects into the country. We will go after these individuals and organizations and make sure that every perpetrator, organizer and supporter of terror, whatever his affiliation or religion may be, pays a heavy price for these cowardly and horrific acts against our people.

In this hour of tragedy, I appeal to the people to maintain peace and harmony so that the enemies of our country do not succeed in their nefarious designs. All concerned authorities are on alert and will deal sternly with any attempts to disturb public order.

I am confident that the people of India will rise unitedly to face this grave challenge to the nation's security and integrity.

Jai Hind !

Also In This Story   
Terror
Firing, explosions, bombs, bloody encounters ... Deaths, injuries, hostages... targeting the iconic landmarks -- Taj and Trident Hotels, Metro Cinema, CST... it was a nightmare just before the city had gone to sleep
Terror Chronology
Some of the recent terror incidents in India
Mumbai Terror
Dressed in a black half T-shirt and jeans with a blue rucksack hung over his left shoulder and a red sacred thread tied on his right wrist...
Opinion
I shiver and sweat at the thought of what is waiting to happen tomorrow and where. The mind boggles as one tries to think and figure out how the terrorists could have planned and carried out terrorist strikes of such magnitude, territorial spread and ferocity without our intelligence and police having been able to get scent of it
B. Raman
An unprecedented series of co-ordinated terror attacks targetting Mumbai's iconic landmarks leaves over 100 dead. And yet the city's horrors do not end with the night.
Opinion
They came out from the sea, while the Indian security agencies remained very much there. If anyone needed a lesson on how to conduct special operations from the sea, they could take a leaf out of the terrorists who attacked Mumbai
Saikat Datta
Opinion
During a hostage crisis. Please note that I am not advocating censorship. I am all for free speech and expression. What I am proposing, is that security agencies should have the power to impose a delay of say three to six hours w.r.t live reporting of anti terror operations.
Shrinidhi Hande
Opinion
Mr LK Advani has offered to the PM his party's full cooperation against terrorism. That is not enough. The PM should respond by inviting all the major national and regional parties to join a national government. And to declare a National Emergency
Rajinder Puri
Opinion
The endless and ill-informed debates on legal vs. developmental vs. political vs. negotiated vs. policing vs. military responses are fruitless. This entire spectrum – from use of extreme force to negotiations and conciliation – is comprehended within the notion of 'counter-terrorism'.
K.P.S. Gill
For The Record
Maintenance of peace, tranquility, communal harmony and patriotic unity must be our highest priority. I spoke to the Prime Minister ... he called me to suggest that both of us should travel together to Mumbai to examine the situation, express solidarity with the security forces... I have readily agreed to his proposal.
L.K. Advani
Filed In Topics: , Manmohan Singh
More In: National, Opinion
 
Daily Mail
COLLAPSE COMMENTS :
HAVE YOUR SAY
Dec 02, 2008 12:00 AM
49
I have been last 15 days saying that wait for six months and see the effects of the mishandling of Sadvi case.I have no personal opinion whether Sadvi is guilty or not.There is nothing credible evidence agaainst Sadvi .But ATS has the right to hold the evidence from premature leek.Hence they may be right .

Leave it for the future .But meanwhile 26/11 has happened.The ground position now :

1.Pakistan TV Channels have started saying that Bombay has been done under Hindu-Christian cosipiracy.Further to ATS Chief Karkare has been liqidated to hush up exposure of Samjohta Blasts.A projected and tragic fall out of the mishandling of Sadvi-Purohit case .

Remember how Lalu,Amar,Congressies and other leaders tried to milk the Hindu terror.

The stupidity and greeed for Muslim votes has recoiled back.

This is like the similar propganda which CHANKYA AND TRUTH are doing here.They were preparing grounds for ISI's spin .Many more Chanakyas will appear now.

2.ISI knows that hardly any Indian Muslim believes Sadvi is innocent or blasts have not done by her group .Hindus belive otherwise.

Read the posts of any poster. Don't bother to know whether he is a Hindu ora Muslim -a few words written will reveal as to which religeon poster belongs.

3. Pakistan is also now on damage control.Its killers have killed large numbers of Muslims in the carnage in Mumbai.Thereby creating revulsion among the Muslims world over.

The propoganda of Hindu-Christian consipiracy is to pacify the anger of Indian Muslims. ISI fears its well established Modules may be at risk of exposure like Khalistanies were fingered by the Sikh peasentary and were finally liquidated.

4. Pakistan will also be able to control the revulsion of its moderate population who are angry at Pakistan's mishandling of Islamic Terror and blame its Goverment for its spread in Pakistan.

5.Pakistan knows that Indian leadership and Govts are weak. They will shout for a few days. A few will visit USA and a few will come from USA.

And all will be peacefull till Pakistan again decides to strike next.

Now for Indians :

If we don't stand together specially Hindus and Muslims then I can ASSURE YOU ONE THING -HINDUS WILL SURELY ELECT HARDLINER LEADERS LIKE MODI.

Modies will be CMs and PM .

I further assure you that majority of the Hindus have already made up their minds for the same.And Indian Muslims know that Secularism whatever be its worth may disappear soon in India.

I don't think any space is left for moderates now .Only some committed leadership of Muslims and Hindus can jointly reverse the slide.

Unfortunately there is no such leadership visible worth its name.
a k ghai
mumbai, India
Dec 02, 2008 12:00 AM
48
Does anyone else find it odd that the entire text of our hon'ble PM is in the FUTURE TENSE?

"We will take the strongest possible measures..."
"Instruments like the National Security Act will be employed..."
"We will take up strongly with our neighbours..."
"We will take a number of measures to strengthen the hands of our police and intelligence authorities"
"We will curb the flow of funds to suspect organizations"
"We will restrict the entry of suspects into the country"
"We will go after these individuals and organizations and make sure that every perpetrator, ..."

Mr.Prime Minister, what the F have you been doing in the past 5 years apart from the nuclear deal and kissing Ms.Italian Maino's A**? This is not the first time that such future tense has been used - it has been a pattern after every terrorist attack. Having been in power for 5 years, all this must have been completed by now. Certainly, with an angry electorate prepared to vote his Govt out, he will leave things as they are and get prepared to blame the next Govt.

These politicians are disgusting!
Ashwin
Jersey City, United States
Dec 02, 2008 12:00 AM
47
"Threatening tougher anti-terror law is deceitful ;as PM very well knows they wold not be desisted from terrorist acts for fear of breaking the law".

The purpose of an anti-terror law is to help the law enforcement agencies to PREVENT terror attacks. It is not a deterrent.

For example, wire tapping under normal laws is illegal for a vast majority of cases but can be made legal thro' a special anti-terror law. And wire tapping is an essential tool in prevention.
Ganesan
Nj, USA
Dec 02, 2008 12:00 AM
46
MB:>>"Terrorists are not law abiding people. Threatening tougher anti-terror law is deceitful ;as PM very well knows they wold not be desisted from terrorist acts for fear of breaking the law".

You are right. Crooks can be cornered only by crooked methods. Perhaps, the govts of india and usa should advertise that million dollars payment may be given to pak citizens who give clues to the places where terrorists are getting trained. Clues can be verified thro satellite vision and the groups in training eliminated by gps-controlled bomber drones. The clue-providers can then be rewarded as advertised. Since pak economy is in doldrums, there may be many pak cilizens willing to give the clues and get the benefits, if their names are kept secret, at the highest levels of our anti-terror admn.
v.seshadri
chennai, india
Dec 02, 2008 12:00 AM
45
Terrorists are not law abiding people. Threatening tougher anti-terror law is deceitful ;as PM very well knows they wold not be desisted from terrorist acts for fear of breaking the law.
MANISH BANERJEE
KOLKATA, India
Dec 01, 2008 12:00 AM
44
Rahul in party mood soon after Mumbai crisis


http://indiatoday.digit...d=4&issueid=82&Itemid=1
Kiran Bagachi
mumbai, India
Nov 30, 2008 12:00 AM
43
this is an episode from english history, when oliver cromwell adressed the parliament-

be gone from here- you have sat here too long to do any good.

after this parliament was dismissed-

the same happened when amery a supporter of
winston churchill adressed neville chamberlain
in a similar manner.

chamberlain resigned and was followed by winston churchill, whose inspireing leadership brought
britain to victory.

in the present set up in india, i can see neville
chamberlain in mms, but there is no winston churchill in sight.

its worth noteing that few state leaders besides modi have visited mumbai and spoken up for the
indian people. the commies in bengal are silent,
so are upa allies and congress. with such whimps
and traitors mother india has hard times ahead of it.

maybe the mumbai terror attack is a wake up call for the indian people. unless they elect nationalist parties to power, india will go the påakistan way.
lalitmb
kalundborg, Denmark
Nov 30, 2008 12:00 AM
42
Hindusthani:

Your suggestions are worth consideration and implementation.
v.seshadri
chennai, india
Nov 29, 2008 12:00 AM
41
Please Mr. Prime Minister, don't be so Vocal...you may hurt your vocal chords !
Joe Brodway
New York, USA
Nov 29, 2008 12:00 AM
40
Prime Minister will come up saying that muslims are very poor and do not have sufficient jobs that is why they are turning to terrorism. So more give reservation for them now.
Who says terrorists has no religion ? Then why 99% muslims are terrorists ? Islamism from this country needs to be rooted out. It is unfortunate that Gandhi was born in India and he gave a cancer to our motherland in the form of muslims. Pakistan was given 40% of india's most fertile land thinking all muslims will leave for Pakistan the way Hindus left Pakistan. But Gandhi was adamant and not allowed all muslims to go to pakistan in 1947. Muslims do not follow family planning and grow their family like anything producing 20-25 kids after marrying 4-5 women. Our secular government comes up with various reservation to garner their votes later. Muslims are changing our demography once again as they have made more than thousands of mini-pakistan in India which are ticking time-bombs.
Mrs Bhanumati
Jhansi, UP, India, India
Nov 29, 2008 12:00 AM
39
Its high time the Indian Federal Government do the following regardless of the origin of this form of terrorism whether by any political parties (who may want to derive political mileage for the forthcoming elections) or by other external agents:

1) Enforce Emergency in all strategic states for a period of about 3 yrs irrespective of the impact on economy.
2) Push the army to search / strip each and every house in these states for unauthorised elements and unaccounted wealth and flush out/eliminate the unwanted elements.
3) Once the sanitisation is done, enforce individual identity system which is universal ie for taxation, utilities connections, internet accounts, phone connection, bank accounts, credit cards, home ownership and rental registrations etc and more importantly a sound visa system for each state and a thorough security and immigrational checks so that unwanted elements dont creep in that sanitised state. The states should be able to decide whom to accept for temporary work permits and or immigrants if the case is genuine based on merits which should solve the current debate of disparity in domicile and immigrants in state. This will also filter and reduce unwanted eliments which are responsible for such terrorist activities.
4) Even after Emergency enforce a thorough watch/record each domestic and international telephone call, post, internet usage etc. This will need establishment of enormous intelligence agencies to transcript these media and create character mapping of each citizen from the personal choices. Although it sounds a foolish idea this has been enforced for a long time in "Ïntelligent" countries the US, now UK and Israel.

This is a golden opportunity for the present government to implement this measure with the help of the huge otherwise idle and ill utilised armed forces and the huge IT companies in India. All the resources are available- Only the political will power is required. No other enity other than the present govenrment can do it as it is better positioned in the present circumstances.

The results can be seen in the positive development of the country as a whole.
hindustani
mumbai, India
Nov 29, 2008 12:00 AM
38
Sheshadri Sir,

The media has got it all wrong when it came to Manmohan Singh's speech(?) on TV. In fact he himself got it all wrong. It was meant to be everything to everybody, but went the way his manmohanomics has gone-nowhere. Actually, he wanted to reassure his countrymen that he is in charge and they have nothing to fear. But it didn't work out that way.

In the best of times he is a gentle Sardar and these definitely are not the best of times. He is also given to mumbling when he should be speech-giving. And having been a file pushing babu all his adult life and used to a life time of taking orders from bosses, he was, as my inside information goes, expecting written instructions from Sonia Gandhi, who, unfortunately was herself expecting an e-mail from Javed Akhtar as to what she should write in the note to MMS. In the event, because of the internet getting clogged, the e-mail never came and MMS had to make do with putting his own scary thoughts to words, which he was clever enough to couch in sufficiently vague mumbo-jumbo. Unfortunately the crucial point about costs got twisted in its meaning because of an extra dose of mumbling he deliberately introduced. My inside information says that he actually said, "there will be a cost, which we will pay ourselves if our neighbour(s) behave. Now, this is entirely in tune with his own philosophy and also that of his squabbling, rumbustious, secular allies.
B.V.SHENOY
BANGALORE, India
Nov 29, 2008 12:00 AM
37
This item in TOI sums it all up.

PM's same tune on terror haunts him

http://timesofindia.ind...articleshow/3771339.cms


The PM's remark, made before a meeting with Pakistan's former dictator Pervez Musharraf in September 2006, indicated a singular failure to appreciate the nature of the terror threat and Islamabad's role in ensuring India remains in a near-permanent state of fearful expectation. In a stroke, the wolf had been turned into a lamb.

Not only do wolves usually don't really change colours, what was remarkable about Singh's statement was it came barely two months after the 11/7 Mumbai train bombings where the government saw a Pakistani hand. Yet, a yo-yo response — just a month earlier he said the peace process with Pakistan was under threat — has marked the PM's approach to terror.

His tough-sounding words after the massive November 26 attack on Mumbai — that he would "take up" with neighbours the use of their territory for launching strikes against India and that "individuals and organisations" behind the outrage would be hunted down — sound like a tinny, worn out record. Even the PM's aides might find the cowboy act a little hard to swallow.

The point really is whether the government is flexible to the point of bending before every storm.

Until the fidayeen struck Mumbai. "Existing laws will be tightened to ensure there are no loopholes for terrorists to escape," the PM intoned on Thursday. Disbelief wrestled with incredulity.

No one really believes any laws will be added or changed. The promise of a federal investigative agency has been part of a file in PMO for many months now.

Apart from the India-US nuclear deal, the PM has tended to see peace with Pakistan as part of his legacy. But even as he built useful CBMs with Musharraf, the bid to de-militarise Siachen shocked the armed forces which felt the plan was ill considered. Today, the "mountain of peace" line seems more tacky than it ever did.
Kiran Bagachi
mumbai, India
Nov 29, 2008 12:00 AM
36
>> When Manmohan Singh speaks, he always mumbles.
When our Vastra Purush Shivaraj Patil speaks, the terrorists, separatists, Bangladeshis and Maoists smile.
When Kapil Sibal speaks, the law stands on its head.
Whe Chidambaram speaks, the markets shiver.
When wheel chair-bound Arjun Singh speaks (rarely, and with difficulty), Mushirul Hassan claps (faithfully).
When Laloo speaks, he thunders, but only the bovine population of Delhi listens to his thunder, calmly chewing stolen chaara
And when Sonia speaks, our secular editors cheer, Pandits sneer and Javed Akhtar tears his thick hair at the murder of his prose.

Extremely funny. Brought a smile even in these sad times.
Al Bundy
San Francisco, United States
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
35
"oes Sardar sahib feel that ISI Cheif will come,seek pardon and promise not to repeat these naughty Pranks upon us ??"

That is not the purpose. The purpose is to show that we are doing something. Thats all. Blaming the ISI is a technique to hide his own incompetence.

This used to work in the nineties but this has lost its sheen these days.

And seriously, if you are going to blame the ISI
In the Mahabharata, there is a section called Kanika Vakkiya. He was a minister. And one of his advice to the kind is "if for some reason you cannot punish your opponent, then pretend as though no crime had happened. You should never give the impression that you are not able to do anything about the person".

The present govt, the NDA and the Rao govt all followed the opposite course. They proclaim to the world their inability to do anything about terror.
Ganesan
Nj, USA
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
34
Mr.Shekar Gupta said we should shed a tear for Late Mr.Katkare ATS Cheif .We must respect the dead man .

But still there are many questions which have to be answered by the ATS,Mumbai Police and Mahrashtra Govt :

1.How could Terrorists from Pakistan could enter,land tons of ammunition and establish their THREE KNOWN bases at a distance of 5 mts walk from Director General Police's HQs and also at 5 minutes walk from Maharashtra Home Minster and CM's offices ??

2. IB,ATS ,Police and other Agencies are responsible to keep a watch on the Terrorists .

How none of them either heard ,suspect,got leads on the nefarious designs of the Killers.

3.ATS had exclusively and totally devoted it self to Hindu terror either under Political pressure or under sense of self righteousness .

Why did they totally overlook the Islamic Terror ?

How could they forget the ever looming ISI and Dawood Gang Islamic Threat ? Why this failure ??

I don't know what were Karkeres thoughts during his last hours.None will ever know.But one thing is sure that being an inteligent person he must have realised his mistakes and failures during the last three months.As a Cheif he must have realised what has happened and gravity of the situation.

4.I don't see that our politicians have learnt any thing from the events of the last three days.They are back to blame game playing.

5. Maharashtra Govt and Govt in Manmohan Delhi have to explain how we have landed in the Terror Trap ?

6.Manmohan has called ISI Cheif to Delhi to examine tyhe nevidence of ISI hand .

Does Sardar sahib feel that ISI Cheif will come,seek pardon and promise not to repeat these naughty Pranks upon us ??

This plainly funny and stupid.

a k ghai
mumbai, India
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
33
BVS>>"this UPA caucus has problems with speech".

The UPA caucus has problems, not just with speech, but with all aspects of competance, also, really. It does appear, that, being denied the PM's post, sonia has taken vengeance on the country, by including only the most incompetant of congressmen in her ministry. That leaves the country's resources to be stolen off by the coalition crooks like lalu, paswan, pawar and karunanidhi's chelas like TRBalu, and Raja!

The root cause of the congress problem is that, after sonia becoming its president, it is only india's 'notional' congress, but really the catholic congress of italy, in india, only! what else can we expect? Grass-roots congressmen should introspect, if they really want to save their party and their country.
v.seshadri
chennai, india
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
32
Friends,

After hearing Manmohan Singh "speak" on TV yesterday on the terror attack on Mumbai, I suddenly realised that this UPA caucus has problems with speech.

When Manmohan Singh speaks, he always mumbles.
When our Vastra Purush Shivaraj Patil speaks, the terrorists, separatists, Bangladeshis and Maoists smile.
When Kapil Sibal speaks, the law stands on its head.
Whe Chidambaram speaks, the markets shiver.
When wheel chair-bound Arjun Singh speaks (rarely, and with difficulty), Mushirul Hassan claps (faithfully).
When Laloo speaks, he thunders, but only the bovine population of Delhi listens to his thunder, calmly chewing stolen chaara
And when Sonia speaks, our secular editors cheer, Pandits sneer and Javed Akhtar tears his thick hair at the murder of his prose.

And I think members of the UPA need colective speech therapy.

B.V.SHENOY
B.V.SHENOY
BANGALORE, India
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
31
We will just have to wait and see what this govt can do and actually does in coming days and weeks ...

Does the news, however, that ISI's top dog is arriving from Pakistan to "cooperate and share certain information" mean that he is going to be confronted with the evidence as reportedly found of attacker's i-cards, credit cards or mobile phones etc ... but it is very strange that these guys will leave the so very obvious evidence of ISI's involvement out in the open as to be found so easily ...

In any case if this govt does not come up with the goods soon, or if any of its ministers make any stupid statements further annoying the people of India, it can say good-bye to 2009 elections ...

It is beginning to look that India after all does need a home minister like Narendra Modi ...
Vijay Agarwal
Northampton, United Kingdom
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
30
Yes there would be cost...... and the AAM ADMI has been paying through the nose for the past many years. I only hope that Mr Laloo Prasad doesn't say that Mr Advani has got the terror strike done to win Delhi Elections ans Samajvadi Party doesn't call it fake encounter. I also hope nobodies heart bleeds for the dead terrorist and lose sleep thiking of the parents of the dead terrorist.
A Nair
Bangalore, India
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
29
"'If suitable measures are not taken,' by our neighbours, says the PM, and 'that the use of their territory for launching attacks on us will not be tolerated.' And says 'whatever his affiliation or religion may be', the perpetrators would be made to pay 'a heavy price for these cowardly and horrific acts against our people'"

And the world knows well our "bark is louder than our bite". I can already visualize those "guys" shivering in their pants and running for cover in the loo. The poodle has spoken - watch out boys here we come. I guess the "poodle syndrome" in us :-).

Mr. Singh if we don't get basics right all the bark (and even if accompanied with some bite) ain't going to amount to much. We are 3rd world and basics is where the problem is. Until we get the basic "rule of law" working, we can keep having eternal debates on tough laws on one side, and vanilla platitudes from the other side (HM, PM, and Super-PM). Neither really solves anything because the "rule of law" foundation is a pack of cards - what does one think can be built on it.

Ganesan - the reason Bush's tough stance worked was not just the tough stance but built on a foundation where "rule of law" by and large works. In our case, we are criminally inconsistent in the application of law - so tough law will just make us more inconsistent. May be the difference will "soft-inconsistent" versus "hard-inconsistent".
Arun Maheshwari
Bangalore, India
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
28
AP to G:>>"You can use this occasion to laud your hero Bush, probably the worst President in US history, but if he had fought Al Qaeda single-mindedly in Afghanistan without taking the foolish diversion to Iraq, Al Qaeda could have been destroyed long time ago, and neither India nor Pakistan would be facing these deadly terrorist attacks now".

strange words from anwar, opposed to osama's al quida and bush [who actually let osama take shelter in pak], perh bec obama has been elected now. duhSaasan turning against duryodhan! but then, fratricide quite common among moslems! aurangazeb killed dara zukhov to get the throne!
v.seshadri
chennai, india
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
27
"stop talking and start doing something. "

Why should he? He has nothing to lose by not acting. People are going to forget this-as they have forgotten the myriad other blasts.
Ganesan
Nj, USA
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
26
stop talking and start doing something. manmohan singh has been the biggest joke as a prime minister. has he or his govt done anything concrete other than bebasing India. Mr Singh and your entire govt has been sleeping for last five years and terrorists have been striking with impunity. If you have any concrete evidence, just attack pakistan. Flush those guys out and kill them. If emergency is required to be imposed, please do so. But Please stop talking. Nobody believes you any more, THE WORST PM INDIA HAS EVER HAD
vibhaas
Doha, qatar
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
25
religion of peace strikes again..muhd must be toasting in hell over this development
Rahul
Delhi, India
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
24
here comes sonia mata'a poodle.. the level of this guys significance can be gauged from the fact that last night he talkes to aadvani and decided that they will go to mumbai togehr in order to show united face.. sonia mata didn't like it then aadavni never received a call.......

this guy doesn;t decide even the color of his turban wihtout asking sonia mata so all his words ar meaningless charade
Rahul
Delhi, India
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
23
>> It is NOT the job of Bush to make sure Indians and Pakistanis are safe from terror. It is his job to protect Americans from terror.

It was his job to finish off those who had attacked America. It was not his job to lie about WMD's and to start illegal wars.
Anwar Patel
Dallas Tx, United States
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
22
"either India nor Pakistan would be facing these deadly terrorist attacks now."

It is NOT the job of Bush to make sure Indians and Pakistanis are safe from terror. It is his job to protect Americans from terror-and he has done a splendid job. The facts are there for everyone to see.
Ganesan
Nj, USA
Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM
21
Ganesan,

>> when it comes to protecting the country from terrorists, these guys cannot hold a candle to Bush.

You can use this occasion to laud your hero Bush, probably the worst President in US history, but if he had fought Al Qaeda single-mindedly in Afghanistan without taking the foolish diversion to Iraq, Al Qaeda could have been destroyed long time ago, and neither India nor Pakistan would be facing these deadly terrorist attacks now.
Anwar Patel
Dallas Tx, United States
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
20
I happen to see glimpses of this speech on CNN. His voice totally lacked conviction.

And he looked like the guy who was about to be butchered in a slaughter house. And I think there was a small Gandhi idol on the back-in darkness. There was no light on it. But looked like the famous Gandhi in his sitting pose reading something.

And could they not find a better Indian flag in the backdrop? All these things added to the gloominess and it looked extremely cheap.
Ganesan
Nj, USA
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
19
Wearing on my slevee my PROUD INDIAN status wherever I go, today I stand shame-faced. Repeatedly being slapped on my face by terrorism, I continue to endure, refusing to be proactive and put in place strategies that can show that India does have spine. How unlucky I am that I should be ruled by governments which have no vision of what a country should be, or conduct itself when repeatedly assaulted. I stand completely ill-equipped, rudderless, shaken and bruised only to be hit again. Need of the hour, a strong leader...(Indira Gandhi wish you were here) who can liberate the country from the chains of timidty and self-gain. SORRY MMS, though your speech was well written, and I admire you as an economist, you do not inspire, nor do I feel reassured that anything you said is going to happen. Completely frustrated, I wish I could take over the government and put in place that can lionise India.
k
Chennai, India
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
18
nair

the attack on the taj, and the oberoi is for a change against the brahmins of indian society.

so far its only the ordinary indians have been killed.

now that corporate heads, foreigners have been hurt the govt will be more active- for what it is worth. investments and tourism will be hurt,
and this could make a difference in handling
terrorism.

finally its a long shot, but maybe the congress and the bjp could come togather, isolateing the
succular politicians.

v.p.singh died today-the head of the succular
groups. is this a sign of the impending death of the antsocial,antinational parties.

maybe modi would be chosen to be pm-
laloo, mulayam could be sent to gitmo.

delicious thoughts.
lalitmb
kalundborg, Denmark
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
17
"But your impotent govt has no guts to hang Afzal Guru who has been convicted by Supreme court for attacking indian parliament"

Another big headache .Now we have now another Afzal from Pakistan .
a k ghai
mumbai, India
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
16
ganesan

as one of the members of the succular club, mehta,s life will not be in danger.

most likely he will be togather with the jehadi,s telling them how much he loves pakistan, and how much he hates fellow hindus.
lalitmb
kalundborg, Denmark
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
15
It is not difficult to predict how this will end. In a couple of days, there will be fawning stories about how the Mumbaites braved the terrorists and how the city has come back to normal. There will atleast be half a dozen articles titled "Salaam Mumbai" praising the courage of the people there.

The people will thus be buttered up. The emotions that are running high now will pass on. Everyone will forget what happened. No laws will be "tightened" as Manmohan said. Things will be back to normal.

Till the next time terror strikes.
Ganesan
Nj, USA
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
14
Vinod Mehta recently wrote that the Devil Bush is about to depart. That Devil made sure not one American civilian got killed because of terrorism.

While Manmohan Singh, whom Mehta admires a lot, is totally incompetent in fighting terrorism and has not shown one bit of progress in the fight.

Where is Vinod Mehta now? If his life is in danger, whom would he trust to protect it-Bush or Manmohan?? Given the tract record of both men, this is not a difficult question to me.
Ganesan
Nj, USA
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
13
The Indian politicians, especially those in the UPA have a high opinion of themselves and displayed a sneering attitude towards Bush when he visited India. And the media in general treats him with disdain.

But the fact remains that when it comes to protecting the country from terrorists, these guys cannot hold a candle to Bush. WHatever his faults, Bush has ensured, for seven years that no American civilian was killed because of a terrorist attack.

And all Manmohan and co can do is talk. While Bush actually did great in protecting the lives of American civilians. And Bush is called an idiot while Manmohan is a genius!!!

Ganesan
Nj, USA
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
12
"But your impotent govt has no guts to hang Afzal Guru who has been convicted by Supreme court for attacking indian parliament"

Thats an excellent point. Manmohan talks about tightening existing laws to convict terrorists. But he does squat to carry out a sentence on a guy who has already been convicted!!

After all this, is there any distilled idiot out there who seriously believes UPA is serious in fighting terror?
Ganesan
Nj, USA
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
11
Whom are you trying to fool mr p.m.the chair boy of antanio maino sonia?you talk about "costs",to those who indulge in terrorism!But your impotent govt has no guts to hang Afzal Guru who has been convicted by Supreme court for attacking indian parliament!And you are sticking to your p.m.*s chair like a shameless creature with the support of people like ram vilas paswans and mulayamsinghs and laloo yadavs "who defend simi" and condemn policemen who have finished terrorists as those indulging in "harassment of innocent muslims"!did you not P.M.lose sleep when terrorists have been mowed down "for their families"?you talk about using NSA now after terrorists have killed more than 100 people in mumbai!and you are the one who always maintained along with that impotent eunuch called shivraj patil to say that "existing laws are more than sufficient to tackle terrorists!How would you react and feel if some of your own family members had been killed in the mumbai blasts?And you are lecturing to the nation knowing fully well that you will have to vacate the chair very soon for india*s good!shame on you!
arun
newdelhi, India
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
10
BTW, what is Soniamma's reaction to the terror attacks? The nation can never be comforted and healed unless it has the magic touch of Sister Sonia The Most Exalted.

I hope Her Holiness will break her prayer, come down and heal the people of India.
Ganesan
Nj, USA
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
9
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
Please take opposition parties into confidence, take on Pakistani reassurances that they are with India to fight terror and attack terror kemps on and around border with Pakistan. You must do this at once to save your nose and to save Congress Party fron a certain defeat at the coming elections.
Pravin Desai
Umarsadi, KILLA-PARDI. GUJ, India
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
8
This fictitious PM seems to be more worried about how to find an equally pliable man who would sing to the media at the proding of the congress about the 'dastardly' Hindu terrorist than rooting out both Islamic and Christian terrorism.Is there no Hindu terrorism? No. This is the last place left for them in the world.Nobody sets his house on fire if there are rats.
c p narendran
nagpur, india
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
7
khushi ram-

mms is a true mundu for the congress familie.

he will stand by til he is dismissed by sonia.

he has not the guts himself to take any major
descision.

for forms sake i will slso join you in saying

go mms go.

all people should send this message by sms to various tv channels.

go congress go.

go mms go.
lalitmb
kalundborg, Denmark
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
6
Go Manmohan pls.Go Manmohan pls! You are unfit to rule India .For your reputations' sake please GO .
a k ghai
mumbai, India
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
5
"supporter of terror, whatever his affiliation or religion may be, pays a heavy price f"

CONGRESS IS THE BIGGEST SUPPORTER OF TERROR .

GO Bs gO !
Khushi Ram
ambala cantt, India
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
4
"We will go after these individuals and organizations and make sure that every perpetrator, organizer and supporter of terror, whatever his affiliation or religion may be, pays a heavy price for these cowardly and horrific acts against our people"

Go b""""ds ! Go b""""ds ! GO !

You have let us down .For heavens sake go .
Khushi Ram
ambala cantt, India
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
3
PSingh:>>"Mr Singh, PLEASE go."

You are right. When Lal-bahdur Sastry was railway minister under Nehru, he resigned when there was just one railway accident. With Shivraj Patil, as HM for over four yrs, terrorist attacks have become as regular as rains and floods. He should resign, along with the HM of mhrtra, RRPatil, perhaps relasted him. Real changes in admn and police executive services will come about, only if their political bosses are changed.
v.seshadri
chennai, india
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
2
"Most importantly, it is essential to immediately set up a Federal Investigation Agency to go into terrorist crimes of this kind and ensure that the guilty are brought to book."

After four and a half years!!! After nearly twenty major terror attacks!!

"We will go after these individuals and organizations and make sure that every perpetrator, organizer and supporter of terror, whatever his affiliation or religion may be, pays a heavy price for these cowardly and horrific acts against our people."

The train blast case has been solved and the guilty brought to justice. Right??

" Existing laws will be tightened to ensure that there are no loopholes available to terrorists to escape the clutches of the law."

Really?? Were we not told that the existing laws were sufficient to fight terror? Was that not the rationale offered to repeal POTA?? Why there is a need for tightening now?

The only thing that needs to be tightened is the screws on Manmohan's head.
Ganesan
Nj, USA
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 AM
1
Mr Singh

PLEASE go.
Pradip Singh
stafford, uk
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