Fearful shutdown in Mumbai

It is said we should not speak bad about a dead person, however evil he may be. So let’s not talk about Bal Thackerey anymore. All of us already what he represented and what did he do for us, Indians, and for India. Coming down to the ordinary citizens of Mumbai who closed down their businesses even before the news of his death was made official. The most natural reason for them doing so was fear, not respect. Like all human beings, Mumbai residents also value their lives and the lives of their children and families and so do they want their properties to be safe. Keeping their businesses open at such a time would be risky, like inviting death.
Come down further to all those celebrities who lined up to “pay homage” (or pay ransom?) right from the Ambanis, to the Bachchans, to the Mangeshkars and the Khans. Personalities from the corporate, showbiz and politicians all got together in paying their tributes. Was it really a demonstration of respect and sharing of grief? Politicians are power hungry and they ride to power only on the shoulders of the masses. So it’s binding on them to remain in the forefront on any occasion where a large crowd gathers, either in joy or in grief. Their only hidden purpose is to turn these masses into their vote banks — that’s their livelihood, their business. Bollywood always bowed to him for “blessings,” because without his blessings movies would not run. A single word and you can see a cinema theater or a cultural event stoned, posters torn and the artists, actors and producers biting dust. Businessmen are meant to be commercial. They would always want their businesses to keep running and flourish. Even if it meant paying ransom, monthly or yearly to the shakha pramukh (head of the local unit).
So for these celebrities, taking a day off “to pay the last respects” means losing nothing. Rather it helps them prosper their “businesses.” The presence of media and being focused by the cameras, their sympathy to the leader gets publicized for free and, in return, guarantees safety to their own commercial interests. After all, it has been experienced quite a number of times before, that it took just one roar, and the goons are out to kill, loot and burn. — Ajaz Ahmed, Riyadh