South Asia Citizens Web

Many Indians have called the attacks in Mumbai "India’s 9/11". Most Indian observers, however were critical of the way Bush-Cheney responded to 9/11. They were right, and they would do well to remember their own critique at this fateful moment. ......

Dawn, December 1, 2008
WHAT else could one do to cope with relentless grief? So I joined an impromptu candlelight vigil held by a dozen friends at India Gate, where we paid our silent tribute to the fallen brave of Mumbai. Scores of men, women and children were visiting there anyway, eating ice creams or buying dinky toys. They were ordinary citizens having a holiday due to the Delhi assembly elections. Some of them also joined us in lighting candles.
There was no speech, no slogan, just (…)

In the months ahead, we are likely to see a security crackdown in India and huge pressure applied to Pakistan to match its pro-Indian and pro-Western rhetoric with real action against the country’s jihadi groups. But there is unlikely to be peace in South Asia until the demands of the Kashmiris are in some measure addressed and the swamp of grievance in Srinagar somehow drained. Until then, the Mumbai massacres may be a harbinger of more violence to come.

A Democracy Now radio discussion on the November 2008 attack in Bombay. Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez talking to Vijay Prashad, Biju Mathew, Tariq Ali and Teesta Setalvad

Daily News and Analysis, November 30, 2008
The television has been turned off finally for the first time in two and a half days. The ensuing space and silence allows reflection and a reaction but little relief. The human cost paid has been unbearably high. As we grieve the losses, the grief gives way to a rightful anger, to necessary questions that demand more than routine, banal answers. Helplessness and defeat is what we just cannot afford.
Was it a siege, or a war, or a fullblown (…)