By IANS,
New Delhi : Holding candles in their hands, more than 500 people from all walks of life gathered at the Jantar Mantar here Wednesday evening to voice their anguish over last week’s terrorist attacks in Mumbai and to demand a change in politicians’ attitude.
“We have a reactive government, not a proactive one,” said a poster held by a demonstrator. “We will do away with the dogs,” said another.
The protesters held candles and chanted vehemently, “We want peace! We want action!”
At least 183 people were killed after 10 terrorists, who arrived in Mumbai in a dinghy by the sea route, stuck at 13 places, leading to a massacre.
A visibly furious Shruti Seth said: “The citizens of this country have simply had enough of the rhetoric. We need some action immediately.”
“This time we will not let this movement die down as is usually the case after such incidents. This is an attack on the nation and we have run out of patience,” said Seth, an artist.
Alvira Shah, another protester, said: “We should boycott voting altogether.”
“The parliamentarians have to realise that the hundreds of us gathered here have the capability to shake them off their seats! We will not pipe down unless we see some concrete action being taken,” Shah added.
“Our security cannot be compromised each time,” said another young girl.
Among other demands, they asked for a pay hike for defence and paramilitary personnel and removal of “extra security” from those VIPs who “don’t need the security and only flaunt it as a status symbol”.
They sang inspirational and patriotic songs like “Hum Honge Kamiyab” (We Shall Overcome) and national song “Vande Mataram” and also discussed the need for police reforms and better security at the seas and international borders.
Most protesters had come together through social networking sites like Orkut or Facebook. They pledged to form a community through which they’ll be constantly in touch and put together such demonstrations regularly.