Comments on: Look into my eyes and say I am not guilty!

By: Ganesh

Ganesh — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:44:57 +0000

Dear Sir,

I believe by now you would know me as Kavi has discussed about me with you.

A very heart rending story. Sad but this reality in India and reality is not always very pleasant.

Your story again opened all those horror and violence faced during the riots. I was working for the company in Goregaon Depot and remember on the 9th/10th Dec. 1993 going towards goregaon and the train stopped at Andheri railway crossing. On both sides there were angry mobs standing with the implements which you have mentioned in your post. Of course the few passengers in the compartment managed to shut it and hold tight till we passed the area safely.

What I can't still comprehend is the ultimate gains of the actions of this mobs. Which community benefits by loss of innocent lives and also the resultant loss of families?

Also your post reminded of that infamous strike which I shall not mention here, for that will not be proper.

You can contact me at 98 457 30656 else ganesh.balaraman@gmail.com

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:05:50 +0000

It is wrong to say that terrorism has on religion, particularly when both the cause & the perpetrators are connected to religion.
All forms of terrorism is a crime against the humanity, however terror of mighty from the majority community is particularly gruesome.

By: nsiyer

nsiyer — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:56:51 +0000

Dear Sir,

I have heard the story from you as well as from Kadri. Its deeply touching, and heart rending.
The story reminded me of my visit to Rajkot after the Godhra riots. I saw the third, sixth , seventh and ninth shops amongst a row of shops destroyed to smithereens.Muslim shops - picked and chosen for desecration.
I can only say 'some part of me died that day'.

By: Vivek Patwardhan

Vivek Patwardhan — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:18:42 +0000

Kadri is now retired and has settled in his village. I read recently [I do not know whether this is true] that kadris are basically sufis who are known to be forgiving and saintly. I too hope he is fine. His injured son works as a manager in an insurance company now and they are seeing better days, thanks to India shining story. Thanks Kate.
Vivek

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:50:03 +0000

I am reeling from the reading of Mr Kadri’s story, what a terrible experience for him and his family to go through. I’m sure though that at some point all the assailants involved in the attack will be punished somehow… If not in this life then in another… As Mr. Kadri said, he has and will continue to have, ‘A guilty mind’!
Cheers, Kate .

By: Vivek Patwardhan

Vivek Patwardhan — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:39:42 +0000

Dear Aleta, Ugich Konitari, Kavi, Harekrishnaji and Partha,
Thanks for your comments and raising some very important points. Compassion, a sense of anger and frustration is what we are left with when we see victims of such riots.
Thanks again,
Vivek

By: Partha

Partha — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:58:51 +0000

Sir,

During the Gujarat riots my Gujarati speaking friends said these people had it coming and such an action was long overdue. Not one single person in that group could articulate a single clear reason that could ever support such an action (there can never be one) but, they stuck to their stand.

I had heard such similar stands being taken during the anti-Sikh riots in Delhi. As always, it is the innocent Kadris of this world who pay for a demented mind of a politician.

An interesting quote (slightly cynical) that I came across "It is not the bullet with my name on it that worries me. It is the one that says 'To whom it may concern'".

By: HAREKRISHNAJI

HAREKRISHNAJI — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:53:10 +0000

This is cruel gift from or rather misdeed of our politicians whose survival is depends on the hatred feelings of flocks. They just have to instigate people to gain POWER which is used for the selfish purpose.

It is a real misfortune that our law if incapable or insufficient to punish the persons responsible for such inhumanly behavior.

Nothing in the world can replace the loss people have suffered thru and the pain and agony faced during those riots.

We all must be ashamed of it.

By: Aleta

Aleta — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:12:09 +0000

You brought tears to my eyes. I cannot imagine what your friend and his wife and family went through. This is horrible. Half-Murder. I shall remember this term and fear that this happens.

I cannot believe he saw the assailant. Maybe I would have been shocked into not moving, but part of me wonders if I wouldn't have attacked in retaliation at that moment. It was a brave thing to not have done so, to attack in return, and I'm glad that the assailant had to get up and move. Shame on him, may it follow him long after the train ride...

My prayers go to your friend and his family...

By: kavi

kavi — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:57:49 +0000

The story of Kadri left a mark in me when it was first narrated to me. The lump in my throat is as big, as i read it all over again, and try to live those moments through Kadri's senses : eyes, nose, ears, touch !

How must it have been to be there !

Your narration is gripping as well. With very vivid descriptions of what happened, making the reader, sprint from one word to the next.

In our current day milieu, it is real life narrations such as these that will sensitise and perhaps leave an imprint in minds. For the good !!