Pearl Harbour, 26/11 & Another Day of Infamy
On the eve of the first anniversary of the attack in Mumbai, below are excerpts from the preface to Sh B Raman’s latest book on 26/11 (emphasis mine).
*** Preface to “MUMBAI 26/11 – A DAY OF INFAMY” by B Raman – Excerpts ***
Even while holding talks with the US on peace in the Pacific, the Japanese Empire secretly and treacherously planned and carried out massive surprise attacks from the air and the sea on Pearl Harbour in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, killing a large number of American military personnel and civilians and destroying the US naval base there.
In an address to the US Congress the next day, which came to be known as the “Day of Infamy” speech, the then US President Franklin D.Roosevelt said:
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific…
During the intervening time the Japanese Government had deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace…No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. …There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces — with the unbounded determination of our people – we will gain the inevitable triumph — so help us God…
Sixty-seven years later, the world saw another day of infamy on November 26,2008. Around 8-30 PM, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists belonging to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET), an ally of Al Qaeda and a strategic asset of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), secretly landed in the seafront area of Mumbai, the jewel of India and the business and financial capital of a newly-emerging economic power, divided themselves into four groups and went around spreading death and destruction over a wide area in the sea-front.
.
…One group killed the ordinary people of the city—-innocent men, women and children. Many in a railway station. Some in a hospital. And some others on the roads and elsewhere.
Two others, after killing the diners and staff of a restaurant, entered and occupied two five-star hotels frequented by the business and social elite of India and the world. They remained in occupation of the hotels for nearly 60 hours and engaged in a confrontation with the security forces before they were killed.
The fourth group forced its way into a Jewish cultural-cum-religious centre, took its six inmates—-four Israelis and two with dual US nationality— hostages, tortured them and finally killed them before the security forces could intervene. Among those tortured and killed by them was an Israeli woman, who was expecting a baby.
It was one of the most treacherous attacks in the history of terrorism. And one of the most dastardly.
As treacherous and as dastardly as Al Qaeda’s attacks in the US homeland on 9/11.
But Al Qaeda was not the tool of any State. No State was using it to attack the US. The LET was. It was the tool of Pakistan’s military-intelligence establishment. …The ISI used it in Afghanistan in the 1980s. It has been using it against India since 1993.
…The LET helped the ISI in its strategic agenda against India.
..This was not the first act of mass casualty terrorism carried out by the LET in Mumbai.
This was the second.
The first was in July 2006 when terrorists trained by it carried out a series of explosions in the suburban trains of Mumbai killing over 170 innocent civilians. Instead of reacting with as much righteous indignation and force against Pakistan as Roosevelt did against the Japanese Empire for its act of treachery, we chose to give it the benefit of doubt.
Within two months of this act of treachery, we entered into an agreement with Pakistan for setting up a joint counter-terrorism mechanism…
…We entered into peace talks with Pakistan.
Even as these talks were going on, the ISI was preparing two other groups of terrorists for use against India. One group attacked the Indian Embassy in Kabul in the first week of July,2008.
What brave statements we made after the Kabul attack! We threatened to have the ISI destroyed! The Pakistanis and the ISI must have chuckled within themselves. Imagine the Government of India translating its brave words into action! It has never done it.
The Pakistanis must have been certain that it will never do it in future. So as the peace talks were going on and as the so-called joint counter-terrorism mechanism was holding one meeting after another, a new group of terrorists was being trained commando style. Initially, they were trained in camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Subsequently, in Karachi.
Then, they sailed to Mumbai and attacked in the darkness of early night.
The Japanese Pearl Harbour attack lasted just a few hours. The LET attack lasted 60 hours plus.
The Japanese attack targeted mainly military installations and personnel. The LET attack targeted only civilians—Indians and foreigners.
The ISI-sponsored LET attack was as treacherous as the Japanese attack.
And as dastardly.
And how did we react?
As a nation? As a people? As a political class?
As we have always done.
Brave and indignant words in the beginning. And a subsequent reluctance to translate the words into action.
The day of infamy on December 7,1941, changed the history of the world.
And our own day of infamy of November 26,2008? Has it changed the history of the sub-continent?
Have we created the fear of God in the minds of Pakistan and its terrorist surrogates? Have our reactions made it certain that there will not be another 26/11 in our history?
Far from it.
Far, far,far from it.
***
Related Posts:
Mumbai, 26/11 Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3
UPDATE: Pl. take a moment to share your thoughts on How should India remember 26/11?
Please light up a candle!
http://61.8.141.149/112608/default.aspx
Bharatiya civilians have short memory syndrome and that was proved again when they elected the government in power for the bloodshed Pakistan ushered on Bharatiyas (Hindusthanis). This is true whatever happened Congress(UPA) did not do it, but they allowed the perpetrators to go unpunished (Court Trial against Kasab will just hang him but will not punish Pakistan for the heinous crime they have been supporting for last 25 years).
UPA did not make sure that Pakistan will never ever commit such treacherous act of inhumanity.
The Urban crowd gathered, held long marches, protested against Pakistan, lighted candles and till the elections appeared forgot to do their job (that is to vote). Only 45% of Mumbaians voted in loksabha and nearly same in vidhansabha.
So if the citizens are irresponsible upto this extent then what else is expected.
Any ways I’m hoping for the better and hope that currently elected government will do its duty without fail.
Jai Hind!
So such is the case
VoP, Sandeep: Pl. share your thoughts on the latest post – and I hope you take the poll.
The tryst with destiny has reduced the Indian Nation to a populace of spineless people, who elect spineless politicians, who in turn make spineless policies. The nation has proved that it lacks pride, it has no self respect and is steeped in the cesspit of callousness.
And the politicians? Their slogans seem to be, “Ordinary civilians be damned.” “Appease the separatists” and “Protect the vote bank, even if it issues fatwas against the national song and anything which the freedom fighters of yesteryear fought and died for.
When we see what has happened over the year since the city of Mumbai was held on ransom, all we can say is, “Shame on the citizens of Mumbai, who lit a thousand candles for a day and then forgot the sacrifice of soldiers and policemen who gave up their lives in fighting the terrorists. Shame on these citizens, who elected the same people who allowed their fellow citizens to be massacred.
My heart cries with anguish when I recall the Union Minister calling the terrorists “our brothers”, the very people, who had no compunction in killing innocent men, women and children. My heart goes to the people who longingly looked at their Prime Minister to be a leader enough to stand up like FDR and punish – but oh! he would not, because the sympathizers of these killers would not vote him and his party to power. And double Ohs, because these people would not be voted to power if they hanged the convicted terrorists like Afzal Guru! What a crying shame!
India, I cry for you. You do not deserve these leaders, but then, you elected them. So, ‘Satyameva Jayate’and’Jaago Re’, forget your campaigns. Let Indians enjoy their cricket, their Bollywood and weddings of Shilpa Shettys, their Manu Sharmas and Sheila Dikshits, the UPA you elected, and with them, enjoy your Quatroccies, Mundas, Laloos, your Rahuls and his visits to the huts of the poor, his roadshows, your Priyankas enjoying their joyrides. Yes, you have enough pastime to enjoy, so go on clapping shamelessly on what the visual media shows.
This is your future. This is the life of apathy that you have chosen for yourselves. Only, this will inevitably lead the nation to its eventual doom. Wait for the day when the Indian national flag will have only two colors. The current top color and the Chakra of Ashoka in the center will be gone.
Does anybody remember our PM saying that he feels sorry for the lives of ordinary citizens of India? I dont. Does anybody remember our head of state saying he gets sleepless nights thinking about our civilians living in distress in their daily lives or about the soldiers on the border and those fighting naxalites? I dont, atleast.
But he has enough time to think about some obscure doctor from the minority commmunity held by Australian authorities (for his suspect involvement in London blasts..) He said he gets sleepless night thinking about the family of that doctor.
With such a spineless, toothless PM being re-elected again at the helm – under whom Bharat had to suffer so many blasts in 8 or 9 of its cities and the 26/11 and numerous incursions by the two gr8 neighbours – I think we deserve all the aparty coming towards us as citizens. Friends, dont be surprised if more such unfortunate incidents happen in near future…
I fail to understand how the educated elite of India on numerous online forums still feel he is one of the best things to have happened in Indian politics.
He may have been a good finance minister under P.V. Narasimha Rao, but other than that he doesnt have the stature/guts to be the PM of India.
And our President is busy touring nations of the world on tourism, all along taking her family for joy trips, learning how to use AK-47s, flying in Sukhois,enjoying a dinner with the Queen of England, touring Chile, Kazhasthan, etc for no apparent reason, more interested in the interior decoration of Rashtrapati bhavan and so on so forth.. What a stark and sorry contrast to Dr APJ.
I dont remember he delivering a single meaningful, inspiring speeh until now!
Lets start to cry all over again, everyone!!!
“Lets start to cry all over again, everyone!!!”
Forget crying its time for action…
@ Arjun:
Your action time was during the General and Assembly elections only a few months ago – long after the 26/11. My heart cried because the Mumbaikers – and indeed most Indians voted back the party which is responsible for the passivity, appeasement and perpetuation of dynasty and crony-ism. You elected the party which brought in murderers and criminals from the Tihar jail to get the vote of confidence passed. Most people did not even vote! It is this the kind of action or inaction bleeds the heart of concerned people.
Time for action, you said. Our time for action is past: my fellow soldiers and I fought 65 and 71 wars in uniform, at the front. We did what we could and when in our twilight years we see young people indulging in tokenism such as lighting candles once a year and forget the families of dead citizens and the policemen and soldiers who did their duties, our hearts are full of anguish. You said it is time for action. You did not say what ACTION you were thinking of taking. Planning to light candles next year, may be?
@Gypsy , Well first of all I dont even live in India so I didn’t vote anyone in..Now you tell me what was the alternative to the Congress ? What the BJP ? The BJP have a confused ideology.And in the last elections it seemed that 80 year old advani was only interested desperately to become PM and hes still sitting in the opposition for next time thats if Vajpayee doesn’t suddenly come back..The BJP only got in power last time because of the Ram Jamnambhoomi movement thanks to the TV serial Ramayana which the whole country was mesmorised by .So what did the BJP do about it ? nothing..And dont give me the usual excuse that I hear ‘oh they were in a coalition so they couldnt do anything” yeh so what ? If the government had fallen then the whole country would have given the BJP a full majority..Now you cant blame the average indian voting in the same government in when the alternative is just as bad if not an imitation of congress itself..The average india voter is struggling to make ends meet so its only natural they would vote in the same people like the saying goes its better the devil (congress)you know than the devil (BJP) you dont..The BJP for a start needs to redefine its ideology rooted in Hinduism.. It also needs leaders who look the part and very charismatic to lead the party and not some overaged or overweight frustrated ill looking leaders who also lack the Hindu Vision..btw Im not the type to light candles but something else…Also i already mentioned during the kargil war I raised nearly 7 thousands pounds for the Indian soldiers widows and childrens funds here in London so i do walk my talk !
@Gypsy, Also the most important thing is being a Hindu I dont believe in defeat because everything is a challange that can be overcome so thats why I dont have time to cry !
@ Arjun
“Well first of all I dont even live in India……”
That explains everything.
“That explains everything.”
Explains what ?
@ Arjun:
I presumed too much. Let me elaborate.
It explained to me that a person, who ‘does not even live in India’ can make statements such as some made by you. For instance, you wrote that BJP was elected because of the serial Ramayana, “which the whole country was ‘mesmorised’ (sic)..†etc. and Ram Janmabhoomi issue. The fact is, educated middle class massively voted for BJP not because they were ‘mesmorised’ by the serial Ramayana. It was the party manifesto and the leadership that the BJP provided. By the way, about a couple of years before BJP won elections in India, Mr. L K Advani was in England and had addressed a meeting in the Brent Town Hall, Wembley. I was fortunate enough to attend that meeting. He spoke about what his party stood for, its manifesto and policies. It was the party agenda that eventually led BJP to form the government.
For the same reason (not living in India) you said, “The average ‘India voter’ (sic) is struggling to make ends meet so its only natural they would vote in the same people like the saying goes its better the devil (congress)…†etc. This is an oxymoron because it is the same Indian voter who had elected the BJP previously. Even now, there are poorer states (Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh) as well as highly educated states such as Gujarat, Karnataka where the ‘average India voter’ elected BJP. “Mesmorisation†of Ramayan is not there any more, nor is the Rama Janmabhoomi issue in those states.
You made an interesting statement: “It (did you mean BJP?) also needs leaders who look the part and very charismatic to lead the party and not some overaged or overweight frustrated ill looking leaders who also lack the Hindu Vision..â€. So, the convicted murderers and other jailbirds such as Pappu Yadav et al are ‘charismatic’ and ‘look their part’ as MPs! Or is it because the party in power begged these criminals to go (with special permission from the court) and vote for them in the Confidence Vote? As for ‘overweight frustrated ill lookingâ€, who are you referring to from the opposition benches? In your comment you have criticised Mr. Advani for being too old. Have you recently seen him standing like a ramrod, with succinct speech and incisive repartee on the floor of the Lok Sabha? Compare that with the bleating of some of the current Union Ministers. May be you will think again.
You have not mentioned what the Hindu vision is and who among the BJP MPs lack that vision; nor even what new agenda the party should have in order for them to win the next elections. If, that is, you want them to win.
I could go on, but it will be a waste.
From your comment, it appears that you live in the UK. I too have lived in England long enough to understand the mindset of some enlightened and secular Hindus. That was the reason why I wrote, “That explains everything.â€
I admire your efforts in raising seven ‘thousands’ pounds. It is truly commendable. As a veteran Indian soldier, I salute you for that, Sir.
“The fact is, educated middle class massively voted for BJP not because they were ‘mesmorised’ by the serial Ramayana. It was the party manifesto and the leadership that the BJP provided.”
I’m sorry but I totally disagree because if it didn’t then where was the BJP before the TV series if their manifesto was so attractive.. The Ramayana was a tv phenomenon..Whenever it was aired on Indian TV the whole country came to a standstil.And then you’re telling me it didn’t play no part in bringing the BJP into power when they were using the Ram Janambhoomi as their main issue during that time..Even the actors of the TV serial were brought in to help..The average Hindu doesnt know what the BJP manifesto is just like the average Indian including most of the political class doesnt even know what secularism means I bet !
“So, the convicted murderers and other jailbirds such as Pappu Yadav et al are ‘charismatic’”
This proves you dont understand my previous point..If the BJP want to show the alternative and win a full out majority then it needs people with a good vision for the country that attract the masses .Gandhi was a good example he knew how to market himself very well.
“Mr. Advani for being too old. Have you recently seen him standing like a ramrod, with succinct speech and incisive repartee on the floor of the Lok Sabha? Compare that with the bleating of some of the current Union Ministers. May be you will think again.”
Sorry but that also proves your lack of vision..We’re living in the 21st century and India has the majority of the youngest people in the world and if you cant attract them then you’re never going to get in power and that’s the reality.Advani needs to be in the background while a dynamic, charismatic and younger visionary leader takes over the BJP.
“You have not mentioned what the Hindu vision is and who among the BJP MPs lack that vision; nor even what new agenda the party should have in order for them to win the next elections. If, that is, you want them to win.”
Well I’m not going to go into deeper discussion over this but its simple when people are totally aligned with Dharma then will have the right vision and direction. Hindutva or the Hindu movement is not a political movement as many Hindus may believe but it should be a spiritual/Dharmic movement where politics is just one platform to express that and its no wonder the BJP cant make its mind up what its ideology is because I cant see no spirituality in their party leadership at all.
“From your comment, it appears that you live in the UK. I too have lived in England long enough to understand the mindset of some enlightened and secular Hindus.”
Yep Im UK born but I can assure you that if you’re applying the above statement to me then it doesnt at all apply to me..
@Arjun:
Thanks, Arjun, but your aim has gone awry this time! My only regret is, I see more anger than reason in your rejoinder. Shall we shake hands and say good bye?
@Gypsy
Anger ? See you should dispute the points instead inudulging in ad hominem..Thanks