Introspection or Revenge?

I am angry, very angry that innocent citizens in Mumbai have been slaughtered. Children, women, young and old, black, brown and white, guns and grenades know no difference. We humans, do. What is unfortunate in every case that has happened, be it war or terrorism, it is we humans who direct those guns and grenades to result in the carnage. When it is done, we do not know what we leave behind.

My first reaction as an Indian after seeing the mind-numbing scenes was to have India blow Pakistan to smithereens but what would that solve? We would wage a war, millions more would lose their lives and animosity would grow further.

If for a minute, we would put aside our differences, and understand why these psychos turn into monsters at the age of 20, we may be able to salvage something.

I titled Introspection or Revenge because I an not sure whom to believe. Whether I should believe the leaders of India who at each opportunity point fingers to Pakistan or to Pakistan, at every opportunity wipe their hands clean saying that 'no elements' from Pakistan are responsible. See these two headlines to see what I mean:





For both countries, I think it is high time that they did some introspection. For India, it has to start from 'within'. It is beyond doubt that a part of the society is communal. It is evident with the Malegaon blasts to Christian violence in Orissa. I am sure everyone feels its time for revenge. Lets start with the why's and if we decide the answer is only revenge, then we at least understand better what we need to do. Revenge can certainly wait a few more days, but if we don't make an attempt to understand now, the opportunity will be lost. As humans, we also have attention span disorder.