Solidarity, anger, peace, whatever the cause, Mumbai

One such Mumbaikar, hotelier Shatbhi Basu along with her colleagues, will march from Hotel Trident Oberoi to Hotel Taj on Wednesday. “I have been a Mumbaikar for as long as I remember. The sights of Taj and Oberoi have been part of our growing up years. The purpose of the march is not just to show solidarity, but also ensure that the sprit we show now does not last for just this one week. The march will be a common platform to share our ideologies. I sent messages to my colleagues and students from hospitality colleges. Everybody has shown their eagerness to join the march.”

The days following the attack at Taj have seen a flurry of SMSes and e-mails about such peace gatherings being sent out to office-goers, students and others. Engineering student Ruben Mascarenhas, coordinator of Yuva Satta, youth wing of Lok Satta Andolan informed that a demand charter will be prepared by Thursday. Loksatta Movement has organised a Karo Ya Hato youth march, demanding political governance and police reforms from the Gateway of India and then proceed to Regal, Hutatma Chowk, CST and Azad Maidan.

Activist Teesta Setalvad said there would be a public meeting on Thursday at St Xavier’s College auditorium where they will deliberate on several aspects including an appeal for peace, the need to step up maritime security, police and political reforms etc.