In between closure and revenge India stands in silence to remember Mumbai massacre

Four years on, victims of the 26/11 attacks try and make sense of what happened.

NEW DELHI:

Everyday activities took a backseat on Monday as Indians stood in silence to remember the November 26, 2008 Mumbai attacks which claimed 166 lives.

It was the first anniversary of the unprecedented massacre after the Pakistani-born gunman Ajmal Kasab was hanged for waging war against India.

Many felt justice had been served at last and viewed November 26, 2012 as the day of closure for the death of all the victims.

Members of India’s parliament stood in silence for two minutes to pay tribute to the victims of the massacre.

The National Security Guards (NSG), who fought the intruders that day, donated blood on Monday to remember their colleagues’ sacrifices.

In the morning, brief commemoration events were held at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, Oberoi Trident, Leopold Cafe and Nariman House — some of Mumbai’s most loved landmarks that were targeted four years ago.

Kavita Karkare, the widow of Hemant Karkare, a policeman trained in anti-insurgency who went down fighting, believes that even after Kasab’s execution, the battle against the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks is not complete.



“It gives me some satisfaction that the terrorist has been hanged, but the real culprits are still at large,” she said, adding: “This is just one end to a part of the 26/11 saga. Larger questions are still out in the open and they have to be answered. The fourth anniversary of the Mumbai attacks should start on this note.”

Kavita has left Mumbai and now lives quietly in Pune.

Tears are never far when she speaks of her husband; though she says she has overcome the initial anger, rage and a sense of loss.

Kia Scherr, an American, lost her husband Alan and daughter Naomi in the coordinated attacks. She has responded to her personal tragedy with dignity, refusing to succumb to the urge for retribution.

She took part in a walk along with hundreds of others at the Gateway of India where rousing speeches were made and songs sung to ease the pain of the living who had lost those they loved the most.

“Peace be with you. We will fight terrorism with love,” Scherr said. “And love shall triumph to make this city peaceful, to make this country peaceful, to make the world peaceful.”

And there were others who were ready to forgive.

Ashish Chowdhry lost his sister Monica and her husband that day in Mumbai. He tweeted: “Why should I rejoice Kasab’s death? I will rejoice when little innocent children will stop being taught to kill in the name of God and religion”.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2012.