'What Are They Getting Out Of It?'

Failure to tackle terrorism shows lack of integrity among politicians. One wonders why they targeted not just Indians but foreigners too.

I also strongly feel we need to invent a new terminology for Hindu fundamentalists. It alienates other Hindus. Similarly, when we describe Muslims as fanatics, the liberals get alienated. The need of the hour is to get moderate forces to come together and create a sense of justice for victims of such incidents. This is necessary for India to heal.

It is terrifying to find that the iconic landmarks of Mumbai, the city we love, being hit so brazenly—Leopold Cafe, the Taj Mahal Hotel. Why are they doing it? What are they getting out of it? One can’t understand their game of maximum destruction. But everything is confusing, especially the nature of our politics, which is playing on for false allegiance to religious identities.

Is there any gain in this? I can’t understand the mind of a terrorist. If this is a war, who are you fighting against? The people you are killing? Are they your enemies? One feels a great sense of helplessness in the wake of such an attack.

As a creative person the only way I understand this is that certain communities are pushed to a corner. They express their anguish through such means, they are provoked into acts of terror. Education is the only way to combat this. Nobody is a terrorist by nature. They’re brainwashed into becoming one.... It’s sad to be living in your country in fear and see your own people killed in this manner.

As told to Namrata Joshi