Shootout in Mumbai

A few hours into the incident and people have already started asking questions if the extreme action of the Mumbai police was really necessary.

While I am not averse to the Mumbai police resorting to any extreme action when an individual is believed to be capable of endangering the lives of others around and seems set to do just that, I should say that the statement of the Maharashtran Home Minister is not reflecting the the ground realities, let alone suiting the deeds.

He said mad men with guns will not be allowed to have a free hand on the streets. Going by what he said, should I replace the word 'guns' with 'weapons', I see it as a statement that applies to the leader and the activists of the MNS to-the-T, who have not only been holding the city of Mumbai to ransom but also question the integrity of our great nation.

The minister also said that the same treatment will be meted out in the future should a similar situation arise. That is actually saying it with a lot of conviction and dedication to the cause. But as I try to apply the same rule to the MNS then I realise that the first man in the line to be shot at would/should be none other than Raj Thackeray himself.