Two bomb blasts in Hyderabad yesterday. One at an overcrowded chaat stall, and the other at a laser show next to Hussain Sagar lake. Friends and relatives call me up. They are relieved to hear my voice. They advice me to take care, and stay indoors. Office security sends a mail to avoid traveling, and preferably work from home. Government shuts down cinema halls, calls for precaution at public places, traffic disrupted, and a possible bandh. Wait a second.... Who are we kidding??

 

Two questions. First, what was the motive behind the bombing? Second, what should or shouldn't we do?

 

The answer to the first one isn't straight-forward. The motive neither be communal (targets had nothing to do with religion), nor political (no political structure was involved). One blast in the famous Gokul chaat, which was intended to kill lots of local people. The second one in Lumbini Gardens, meant to kill tourists and families. Plus, unexploded bombs at many places, including theatres, bus stands, etc. Time will tell us the motive, but the intent was to spread terror. TERROR.

 

The typical and expected response. Call for bandh. All stay at home. We did this today, and we do this almost always, and the terrorist wins. This was what he wanted. To scare people. To plant fear in the hearts of people, which makes you think twice before you roam in your own city. By staying indoors, we let the terrorist win, achieve his purpose. Of course, I can't take the risk. I dont care about Kashmir, my life is more important. Police cant take a risk. One more mishap, and the Government falls.

 

One year back.. Look at the Mumbai bomb blasts. It was a much bigger act of terror. But on the same day, city returned to normal. On the next day, the same trains ran full, and people went to work like nothing happened. This might be due to compulsion, or people being used to it. Whatever. The terrorist clearly lost the plot here. Look at his deal. Seven bomb blasts, with so much planning, money, and risk. City returns to normalcy in under seven hours. What has he achieved?? He is forced to change the target from Mumbai to Hyderabad.

 

Well, there is only one way to force terrorism out of the country. While police and Government work on preventing terrorism, and punishing criminals; we, as citizens, fight against terrorism by not being scared. If a bomb blast cannot terrorize people, then it is no longer an act of terrorism. Well, writing this in the comfort of my living room is much easier than actually doing it. But what the hell? Far more innocent people are killed by accidents, than by bomb blasts.