Beyond rage: action

Finally, I am in a condition to put my thoughts together in a coherent manner. The murder and destruction at the Taj, the Trident and the Nariman House - the pictures, the videos, the stories, the soundbites - they have shocked all of us in Mumbai, India, and the civilized world.

Now, the blame game, the rolling of heads, the scoring of brownie points have started. From the POV of political parties, this is a great time to do this - elections are just a few months away.

But what of us? What do the citizens India, who happen to live in Mumbai, get out of this? Another round of unkept promises? Another round of mumbled words and meaningless gestures passed off as action?

We won't be fooled again. Not any more. In the Mahabharata, Vidur tells us that one of the six things a man should avoid is "a king who fails to protect". We are now livid and we want to get rid of the kings and queens who failed us.

What do I want to see thrown out from our country and our system?

1. cynical corrupt politicians
2. inept politicians and bureaucrats who have corrupted our systems, by making 'politically convenient' appointments at top levels in our security and police forces
3. ineffective politicians who hold positions as rewards for services rendered to their power mentors in their parties
4. criminal politicians with track records, and underworld connections - banned for life
   
5. a government that has demoralised our defence forces - the whole row about pay for our soldiers is an incredible and outrageous farce. Our soldiers are a million times more dedicated to our nation, and a million times more valuable, than our politicians
6. accountability which is now to the party bosses and not to the electorate

What do I want to see happening now?

1. Public and published accountability of all politicians - what have they accomplished against their promises? Public review to be held every six months, and each candidate will be given one grace period of another six months, if he's failed against his promises. If their is shortfall of performance after this grace period, we the public will physically and through media agitate for his removal.
2. Meritocracy, and only meritocracy, in senior security (that include police) appointments.
3. Removal of all security appointments from political influence. To start with, ensure that the federal investigation agency is itself free from political interference
4. Removal of political interference in the day to day functioning of all security and police forces
5. Publicly punish all politicos with criminal records and connections with the underworld. They cannot be allowed to participate in political life ever again.
6. Strengthen our laws and our security forces equipment and training - it's pathetic that Mumbai policemen died after being shot through the head, while he was wearing a helmet. Surely, somebody took a bribe to accept low quality helmets which is supposed to save lives!

Utopian? Maybe. Too drastic, too draconian? Absolutely. We have been mealy-mouthed and polite and gentlemanly for far too long. Now, our blood is up, and we want change. We MUST have change, and nothing short of big, dramatic change for the positive will satisfy us any more.