Ever wondered how one can feel if found sitting with a terrorist. I can actually surmise. But when I heard from my relatives that their co-passenger was one the Most Wanted by the police, my heart skipped one beat. I started having butterflies in my stomach. It's not a tell tale, you see.
He was a Muslim guy named Arshad Singh. He was clad in all White, had a Black and White chequered stole around his shoulders and a small cap on his head.
I remember didi told me that it was the month of Ramadan, a pious month of Giving. At the time of dusk, Arshad went to wash his face, hands and feet and took out a small mat from his trolley bag. My Didi was very anxious seeing him doing all this in the train and asked him, "Are Uncle, yeh aap neeche kyon baithe ho? Apne seat par baith jaao." That man did not utter a single word and just smiled. He duly performed his Namaz. Then he told my Didi what was Namaz.
All said and done, terrorist is after all an unwelcomed guest. But to my wonder, the Police were treating him like a guest in fear of losing him. Hahaaaaaa!!!!! This is what actually happens. You see, it's not only shown in the movies. At this point, I remembered one Bollywood song.... "It happens only in India" .....by Alisha Chinoy.
Surprisingly, that man was just like one of us but at the same time found that many bouncers were sitting around him all armed with rifles as if waiting to counter attack.
Well, it was 2o clock in the afternoon. My goodness!!!! One should have clicked a picture of the palette full of delicacies which was served with love to him. Listening to the non ending menu made me feel like having it. Yummy Biryani, Chicken Chaap, Raita, Green salad, Achaar..... Ummmmm really mouth watering, isn't it? "Are koi mujhe bhi dilaa do" were the exact words spoken by me when I heard Didi narrating these to me ....!!!!!
Although this man was not that fierce to look at. But there was something which made everyone sitting there feel uneasy. He always used to clean his small knife like weapon and then used to keep it back in his kit.
Anyway, Didi had to get down as her stoppage had come. That man gave his blessings to my sister and this bothered the co-passengers but made my sister smile. She bid goodbye to him. He just told Allah Hafiz Bitiya !!! Allah apko hamesha salamat rakhen."
Hearing this incident, I fail to understand as to what delays our judicial system. Don't we all know that justice delayed is justice denied. Why can't the processes be a little quicker so that there is no more way given to the criminals to perform such criminal offences of and on.
I had mixed feelings for that man. I didn't know his crime but I knew in my heart of hearts that circumstances made him what he was then the Most Wanted by the Indian Police.
Wake up guys, be alert and vigilant of people around you. Real power is not out of fear and anxiety. It is just the beginning. Feel the strength to raise your voice against all the odds, but do justice to one and all by remaining unbiased. Let's enjoy the freedom !!?!!