More Attacks and A Wednesday

The past month has witnessed terror attacks at an alarmingly frequent rate in India. First it was Bangalore, Ahmedabad and then Delhi. Now, the past week has witnessed another spate of attacks in Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra. The demand for harsher laws to curb terror has been growing. Films have been produced wherein the terrorist menace is now being curbed by the actions of an armed common citizenry. The time that has been witnessed now is a mixture of necessity and irrationality, havoc and prejudice and more importantly, we are far from a solution.

Media can go indepth and report the situation. The analysis by several of their chosen sources and news consultants can give the common man an idea of the situation at hand, but not go into the roots of how the problem comes up. Lots of times whenver a particular terrorist attack comes up, one communuity is targetted and they have to be apologetic in front of millions. These recent terror attacks have exposed the angered psyche of ordinary citizens. 'A Wednesday' is abrilliant film, which showcases the anger that common citizens have over the inability of the police and the government to prevent terrorist attacks.

The dialogues spoken by the stupid common man in the film illustrate his frustrations about the troubled times and its several complications. It highlights the inability and questions the common man's 'return to normal policy'. The film blends perfectly with the scenario that is facing India and about the strength of the social fabric in the aftermath of an attack. Some news outlets were reporting the ignorance of certain instituitions and people regarding the source of the terror attacks.

The problem addressed in 'A Wednesday' is relevant but unfortunately superficial. If the citizenry is armed, as in the case of Selwa Judum in Chattisgarh against the Naxals, it could give rise to either of the three possibilities. Anarchy, more bloodshed or curbing of the menace. If the last one is achieved with responsible means, then an armed citizenry is worth having. But, terrorism feeds upon the inequalities of state policy and lack of communuity support.

Prejudice and misconceptions are two weapons with which terror thrives. The citizenry may have a duty like that of the nstupid common man in the film, but it is only as a last resort. The most prominent thing that a citizen can do, and I maintain it, is the elimination of prejudice and ensuring fair and balanced education to al stratas of society in order to eliminate misconception. Brainwashing is done when all other means in front of the common man have been extinguished. Thus, if ordinary people can help their fwllow citizens in eliminating misonceptions and prejudice, then terror can be defeated.

The next part explores the furthur implication of terror with regards to religion.