Mumbai Attacked: The media has done it's job well

Gen V N Sharma, former Chief of Army Staff | Mumbai

Gen V N Sharma

The detailed television coverage of the terrorist attack from November 26 onwards gripped viewers all over India and parts of the world. Thousands avidly studied the stories and discussions provided by the print media and their websites. The Indian people, led by the anger of Mumbaikars, seem to have woken up our lethargic country as never before.

There are reports that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Home ministries are peeved with the media coverage. Concerned TV channels have been questioned why action should not be taken to cancel their licenses. While there is certainly need for battle training of cameramen and correspondents, they have performed effectively and brought battle scenes to our homes.

For the first time, common people, intellectuals and the rich have had detailed ringside views of a barbaric, ruthless, and well organized terrorist attack against innocent people; and against high value sites of the financial capital of India. The media images and discussions vividly exposed the obvious Pakistani hand; and the faults and deficiencies of our response, including the lack of single command.

The anger of the public against politicians and bureaucrats does not indicate 'antagonism against the democratic system', but against the perceived inefficiency, corruption, criminality and the self interest of a large number of our elected leaders and their personally selected, fawning civil servants, who have failed the people. This must change.

We have to act fast in two clear areas. The first, and most urgent, is to effectively neutralize the terrorist threat emanating from Pakistan, particularly from the army-ISI combine and Jihadi terrorist groups such as the LeT.

War is the last option. We have to deal with this by firm political, diplomatic and economic means, with UN and worldwide support, with no appeasement and no let up till our aim is achieved. If accurate actionable intelligence is available of terrorist training sites, we must destroy these by swift, clandestine aerial or surface strikes.

The second aspect is to set our own house in order. Government is already amending rules to organize a long awaited federal investigating agency. Fresh anti-terror laws are required. Our intelligence organizations require thorough professionalism, revamping, and proper equipping. Police reforms must be carried out as suggested by various police commissions.

We should compliment our media for forceful and aggressive coverage of the terror attack, as well a job done as any in the world. If public anger and demand for effective governance reduces official complacency to give us better security, India will have been well served by the media.