Sunday, September 14, 2008

A Saturday

It was on a bloody Saturday we saw A Wednesday, the movie about common man taking the law in his own hands to tackle terrorism. The movie that tries to awaken the common man (or woman), who is sick of going out while looking over his/her shoulder, worried that the next train or bus journey maybe his last. Unfortunately, there were some of those common men, women and children, who paid with their dear life this Saturday.

It was 7:38 in the morning, when my cell rang with the voice of Chandu, informing me that there had been some blasts in Delhi. From that time till my Dad picked it up, my heart was beating with prayers on my lips. It was a relief talking to Dad but with the ambulance sirens (from tv) coming from the background, my first thought was to talk to Mom. It was only after talking to both of them, that a sense of relief came to me. This was followed by making calls to my friends in Delhi and knowing about their well-being. The movie raised the same difficult question, till when will the common man remain silent as long as his family members are alright while 20, 50, 100 other unknown people die a painful death.

The movie may have its unrealistic premise but the question raised are very relevant to South Asian society where terrorism like corruption is sadly becoming a way of life. Naseerudin's character can be any middle class person from Delhi, Bangalore, Colombo or Karachi, who is sick of going out of house with his family worrying if he will come back safely. One of the best scene of the movie is when Anupum Kher explains why he never asked the name of the person, because it doesn't matter if he is Hindu, Muslim or Christian, he is just a common man, sick of some people taking decisions about his and his family's life.

The movie will not change the fear of common man, nor will it affect any terrorist and change his plan to kill innocent people, it may neither affect the Government to take tough actions against extremism, but it may make people aware that change in society can only come from that common man.

May every common men (or women) who lost their lives by terrorism, rest in peace.