CWC Meeting Saturday, 29 Nov 2008

Prime Minister,

My colleagues of the CWC.

We meet at a time of great sorrow and anger: sorrow at the tragic and wanton loss of life and anger such senseless havoc and destruction. My heart goes out to those who have suffered, the hundreds of innocent people, both Indians and from abroad, who lost their lives, their loved ones or suffered grievous injuries. I salute our security forces who rose to the occasion to meet an unprecedented challenge. Many lived up to the highest traditions of service by giving their lives in the line of duty. We pay homage to them and send our deepest sympathies to their families.

We must recognize that what has happened in Mumbai over the last few days is no less than an assault on our nationhood and an attempt to destroy the fabric of our society and our secular, democratic way of life. We do not know as yet what motivated those responsible for the death and havoc that we have witnessed. I am sure we will soon find out, and also come to know who organized and facilitated their mission. But one thing I do know: we can no longer sit back and let these attacks overwhelm us. Our response has to be effective and it has to be decisive.

Two days ago, Prime Minister addressed the nation on television. We strongly support what he said.

As the party that leads this coalition, our first task is to restore faith among the people. They must feel that they have a government that is taking all possible measures to give succour to those who need it and, more important, to ensure that there is no recurrence of such traumatic acts of terror.

I know there are no easy answers and effective change takes time. But we must plan what we can do in the immediate future and what long-term measures and reforms are needed to strengthen and equip our police and security forces to be better prepared for the challenge they face.

We must immediately set in motion whatever steps are needed to secure the safety and security of our citizens. We need to look into the lacunae that allowed terrorists to cause such mayhem. We need to put in place whatever reforms and changes are felt necessary to bring about a qualitative change in the way we anticipate and deal with terrorist violence.

We have confronted a rising tide of terrorism for some time, but the attack in Mumbai was qualitatively different. It calls for immediate and firm action.

This is a time when all political parties should come together and rise above partisan considerations. It is unfortunate that some of our political adversaries have not done so and instead sought to take advantage from the terrible suffering in the city of Mumbai. We stand firm against any attempt to divide our people on the issue of terrorism. We will persevere in our effort to work with all those who recognize this as a national challenge that we have to meet collectively.

This is our agenda this evening. Our nation has gone through a painful and agonizing period. The time for intent is over. The nation is looking to us for decisive action and determined leadership. We cannot afford to fail them.