The horror in Mumbai is winding down as I write this. Over the last 50 hours or so, I have been following it on TV as well as online for my own coverage of it on this site.

Some of you may remember my earlier (maligned) post on Indian nationality. Sadly, we can see that it turns out to be too accurate if not very likeable.

The truth of the matter is, we have lost sight of what is great about this nation of ours, of the immensity, the diversity and the ultimate unity of our people, born and raised in the same culture.

If we do not yet learn, in this hour of tragedy, to come together as a nation, we never will.

For decades, ever since the Independence, we have been fractured by the megalomania of small groups of people, who call themselves our leaders. Let us for one moment, on this day, recommit ourselves to say, "ENOUGH".

I heard on TV that Mrs. Karkare, the widow of the ATS chief killed in the Mumbai terror attacks, had refused to meet the Gujarat CM, Mr. Modi, who had earlier announced a huge sum of money to the families of officers killed in the action.

Good on her, I say. Imagine the sheer chutzpah of the politician in Mr. Modi, to take this tragic moment to score Brownie points – and remember, he was someone who was breathing fire at this same officer for the arrest of the Hindu terror suspects.

I used the words ‘Hindu’ and ‘Terror’ in conjunction deliberately.

I do not believe that terror has a religion. It is neither Islamic nor Hindu.

If the persons arrested in connection with the Malegaon blasts are responsible, they are, simply put, terrorists. They are definitely not Hindus. For they do not understand the spirit of the 5000 years of Hindu culture. They do not understand the multiplicity of gods and the complexity of the message of Hinduism.

And the same holds for these terrorists who claim to fight in Allah’s cause. There is no place in the Koran (I assure you, I have read it) that says anything about harming innocents. Jihad is about protecting the believers (in God, not of religion) against aggressors, like the Prophet did from the attackers from Mina and Medina.

But, I digress.

I do not wish to argue religion. I wish to discuss morality and nationalism (in the true sense) and humanity above all.

Let us first tell these ‘people’s representatives’ as they call themselves that it is time to really lead. Tell them that their pettiness (which is immeasurable) has run its course. Tell them that peace is not an option – it is a state of life.

Second, do not blame Pakistan immediately. Yes, blame the involvement of Pakistanis in it – but not Pakistan, the nation, or its people. They are more ‘sinned against than sinning’. Let us give the largely democratic government there a chance to help – listen, before you condemn.

Third, let us see why we have an environment of resentment among the communities – Hindu, Muslim, Christian or North Indian, South Indian, Marathis, Tamils… Let us relearn to be Indians.

Finally, and most importantly, let us throw away the rulebooks for engaging terrorists. Here, I will contradict some of what I said earlier – forgive me. The issue is, we cannot mitigate the cause of a fire before it is put out. So, let us give our police and armed forces independence from the corrosive influence of politics to do their job, and do their job forcefully. Let us not cavil at possible hairs ruffled or a few innocents caught up. Reparations can be made later. Immediate action is more important.

I saw a lot of hate on the comments written by people on this site on various issues. Especially, the Mumbai issue and the Lanka Tamil issue. Many are bigoted, jingoistic and warmongering. These are little people – people who have little minds. India is above that – far, far better. Let us not let our land fall into the hands of these people by sheer inaction, saying, “But, I am safe.”

Remember, we tread on the footsteps of a nation of people who were able to come together across divides of history, region, language and culture. Let us not fall prey to these terrorists who have attacked us from outside humanity. At the same time, let us beware of those in our midst who attack us with divisions of language and region, trying to grab and hold on to what little power and wealth they can filch – look around, they are among you.