26/11 Mumbai: The nightmare continues after 16 years

Recently a friend and I, both born and bred in Bombay (or Mumbai as its now called), were reminiscing about old times and old friends. I was reliving a certain episode in my life and the name Vijay Salaskar popped up in the conversation. It happens that my friend also knew Salaskar and we both realised that 26/11 was around the corner.

I remember Vijay Salaskar from the eyes of a six year old. He had come to our door for a routine enquiry in 1986, he left a deep impression. He was an exceptional man. While I watched 26/11 unfold, it was heartbreaking to hear that Salaskar was no more. He was a man who left a deep impression on every person he met.

And just like that, those that lived in and grew up in Mumbai in the 1990s and 2000s remember the price of terror. We all know someone who has died, left scarred for life, someone whose family has been destroyed because of terrorists. We have also seen our city, our community and our people destroyed first hand and we impotent and unable to do anything. Many of us are still unable to accept that the Lashkar-e-Taiba leaders who planned 26/11 still live free and justice still eludes the memories of those who perished.

A few weeks ago Bombay lost another son, Ratan Tata. A lot of us remember him watching helplessly as his staff was massacred and a hotel which symbolises his family name was destroyed. The city knows how he quietly helped rebuild it brick by brick, soul by soul, not once taking credit for his actions.

26/11 is still fresh in memories of Bombay, it is a nightmare that plays on a loop some nights in the dreams of many of her children. That is why Bombay understands the pain of 7/10 and it understands why justice is important. Such violence in the name of a god or any kind of freedom struggle cannot be justified by anyone. Terrorist groups like LeT, Hamas who justify the slaughter of innocents in the name of some ridiculously outdated Islamic theological school need to be destroyed and uprooted. Justice must be served, the victims must have closure.

The difference between 26/11 and 7/10 was that 9 of the 10 terrorists were killed that day and there were fortunately no hostages. However most people, especially Bombayites and Mumbaikars who lived through those terrible days, still need closure. Hostages from 7/10 are still in the custody of the terrorists. It is a never-ending nightmare. The murder of a Chabad rabbi in the UAE, a country which has an excellent reputation of tolerance and security, underscores that this battle continues. 

In a way 26/11 was a prelude to 7/10, the cost of security was very high, losing brave men like Vijay Salaskar and others. While we pay tribute to all the victims and heroes of 26/11 on its 16th anniversary, we also say a prayer for all those still hostage in Gaza. May they come home safe. The terror tape in our heads will fade, but will never completely disappear. Events like this leave a mark on your soul forever and you promise, hope and whisper “never again!”