Published: December 11, 2008

Terrorists attacked Mumbai, India on Nov. 26, setting off a four-day siege that, according to CNN, killed at least 183 people.  Terrorists targeted multiple sites in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, including a hospital, a cinema and most notably, the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, one of Mumbai’s best known landmarks. CNN has reported that the Indian government has not officially placed the blame on a particular terrorist group and that the attacks have reignited hostility between India and its Middle Eastern neighbors.

People around the world watched as news broke on the evening of the attack, Manish Mathur, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’11, said that his first reaction was “shock.” “Even though India has suffered attacks like this before, never have they been so large-scale,” he said.  Mathur, a member of Desi C.H.A.I., FCLC’s Indian culture and heritage club, said that outside of traveling to India to help personally, all Fordham students can do is “hope that the Indian government can take more precautions to prevent something like this from happening again.”

Rucha Desai, FCLC ’11, co-president of Desi C.H.A.I., released an official statement from the organization:

“India has always been bearing bloodshed and tears on its soil. This is not the first time the country has experienced a terrorist attack; whether it is because of Hindu nationalism, Pan-Islamic sentiment, Sikh separatism or any other group conveying a message through violence and destruction, Indians have seen their country tear apart.

“This time, because it affected more than just the Indian and Pakistani populations, the attack received international attention. The people of both countries, India and Pakistan, have been subject to politically driven religious and social tension for so long, that no matter what the reason, it is good that their plight is recognized worldwide–especially since these attacks will definitely spawn a reaction…”

“If there is anything I want expressed regarding the attacks, it is that they were first and foremost done by the work of terrorists. They were simply killers. They were not Muslims or Hindus. The Qur’an does not promote bloodshed; no religion encouraged killing. These terrorists have used the name of religion to organize, to gather more support.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the Mumbai attacks.”

Bianca Rodrigues, FCLC’11 and co-president of Desi C.H.A.I, said that she is “still stunned” by the attacks.  “I think what has scared me the most is that the terrorists wanted to sensationalize these attacks and went after foreigners simply because they knew it would create a media frenzy,” Rodrigues said.

She continued: “I think many issues are being drawn out due to this attack, and hopefully there will be some reform in India. Political leaders need to take accountability and create actual change. Additionally, there needs to be international cooperation on fighting terror.”

Rodrigues added that the attack on Mumbai was “more than just” an attack on India.  “It was an attack on human dignity and the regard for life. Forget political boundaries and cultural differences—everyone who died on Nov. 26 was a brother, sister, parent or friend. Each victim of terrorism is loved by someone, so let’s remember that love when we try to move on after such horrific events. More fighting will not lead to a solution,” she said.

Desai speculated that Desi C.H.A.I. may organize an event in remembrance of the attacks next semester, though there are no concrete plans.