12th March – a reason to rejoice or lament

The 12th March has always been an unforgettable day in my life – not for the reasons I am born blissfully on this day to my proud parents to whom I cannot return my duties but it will always be remembered for the barbaric crime done on Indian soil. The reasons – avenge; a thirst to kill each other which the British rulers successfully imbibed into us. Yes, I am talking about the non-ending story of Hindu – Muslim dilemma where the chapter of Babri Masjid, Mumbai’s Serial Bomb Blasts, Gujarat riots and riots post Babri Masjid’s demolition were red lettered.
I always wonder – should I celebrate my most important in my life where every year I lose an important year or should I go ahead without remembering those who were either killed or wound permanently in the Mumbai’s serial blast of 12th March 1993, the Black Friday in Mumbai History. Recently I happened to read the book “Black Friday – The True Story of the Bombay Bomb Blasts” by S. Hussain Zaidi. Though it was out for public circulation in 2002, I happened to read it in recently. It was better than sure that the events had been an avenge to Babri Masjid’s demolition post which Muslims were butchered albeit Hindus were also killed. The book also described the involvement of Sanjay Dutt, the Bollywood star and the son of MP and another Bollywood veteran, Shri Sunil Dutt, who had nothing to do with Bomb Blast and had procured an AK 56 in curiosity to defend himself after he was threatened from pro-Hindu fundamentalists. I still wonder how he thought of defending himself after he was threatened from fundamentalists as he showed some good friendly gestures to Muslims’ communities after Bombay’s riots of Dec 1992 and Jan 1993.

The book also describes the heroic efforts put by Mumbai Police and its network. Now I believe why it is named after Scotland Yard in its service and work-style. Its nexus with dons, bhais, bollywood stars and many unrecorded relations, also known as informants made it one of the strongest Bhai of aamchi Mumbai. Mr. Rakesh Maria, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) and the then in-charge of Bombay’s Bomb Blasts in 1993 and now the Joint Commissioner of Police and also investigated the recent Mumbai’s Terror Attack of 2008 really deserve a pat. He handled both the cases in a very intuitive way.

While India leaves behind its story and Mumbai goes forward in its spirit, there are some people who try to erase their past memories but unable to do so.

I must think on – should I still go ahead in celebrating my birthday with a big bang where I extinguish my candle or should I light a candle in the memory of those who were directly or indirectly killed or wound and their life are still a challenge for them. Let someone answer this million dollar question!

Hats-off to the spirit of Mumbai! I love it.