The first stage was communalisation of the mafia, during the movement against Babri Masjid. Then came the legitimacy given to communal politics. That was followed by the nexus between the Muslim or Hindu politicians with their respective “friendly” mafia. This divisive politics was further vitiated by the politics of language, caste and religion. Today, no Mumbaikar swears by the city he lives in. He swears by his “identity”. The so-called intelligence wing of the police, which is nothing more than an extension of the police force, has also been infected by this sectarian virus. One does not yet know the mastermind behind this terrorist attack. But surely, he knows the fractured fabric of life in this city. He knows that even about two dozen organised terrorists can hold a city of one and a half crore people to ransom. The hostages counting their minutes under the guns were a most bizarre manifestation of the people of Mumbai, who are hostages to the anarchy that is Mumbai.

The writer is editor, ‘Loksatta’

kumar.ketkar@expressindia.com