Reaction 26/11

Reactions to the 2008 Mumbai attacks were on the local, national and international levels.
Political reactions in Mumbai and throughout India included a range of resignations and
political changes. Other reactions included condemnation of the attacks by an Indian Muslim
organization and Naxalites. International reactions to the attacks was widespread, with many
countries and international organizations condemning the attacks and expressing their
condolences to the civilian victims.

Indians criticised their political leaders after the attacks, contending that their bickering and
ineptitude were at least partly responsible. The Times of India noted on its front page that
“Our politician fiddle as innocents die". Anger with the political class in the wake of the
Mumbai terror attacks boiled over with slain NSG commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's
father shoving Kerala Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan. The Mumbai attacks left the
corporate sector of India angry; vulnerable sectors wanted to be armed. In addition, a meeting
convened by the Karnataka government with industry heads led to demands from industry to
be allowed to purchase automatic weapons for their private security firms and the right to
bear arms.

Reaction 9/11

Reactions to the September 11 attacks included condemnation from world leaders, other
political and religious representatives and the international media, as well as numerous
memorials and services all over the world. The attacks were widely condemned by the
governments of the world, including those traditionally considered hostile to the United
States, such as Cuba, Iran, Libya, and North Korea.

In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the Bush administration declared a war on
terrorism, with the stated goals of bringing Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda to justice and
preventing the emergence of other terrorist networks. These goals were to be accomplished
by means including economic and military sanctions against states perceived as harbouring
terrorists and increasing global surveillance and intelligence sharing.

Impact of 26/11
In the aftermath of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, all schools and colleges, and most
offices were closed. The Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange remained
closed on 27 November 2008. Shooting of Bollywood films and TV series had also been
halted in the city. Many international airlines temporarily discontinued operations to
Mumbai, in the interest of passenger and crew safety.

The Indian Cricket League's ongoing tournament in Ahmedabad was cancelled. The two
remaining One Day Internationals of the seven match series between the visiting England
cricket team and India were cancelled.

All NSG commandos will now undergo a new module of training, to learn how to deal with
future anti-siege operations, because the Taj terrorists were in a gun battle for 59 hours
continuously.

These tragic incidents that unfolded on 26/11 claimed the lives of husbands, wives, children
and parents. Socially and politically it affected the already tense relationship between many
Indians and Pakistanis who were left to bear the repercussions and carry the resentments of
the atrocious attacks. Ajmal Kasab — the only surviving attacker — was later executed in
India.

The attacks have left an ever-lasting impact on the face of Mumbai:

 Futuristic armoured vehicles mounted with machine guns now patrol the wealthy
downtown heart of the city, with the iconic Gateway of India transformed from a
bustling tourist hive to a controlled fortress.

 Hotel security, with airport-like scanners, car bomb checks for every vehicle and
armed guards, now resembles Islamabad or Kabul.

 There are heavily-armed "Force One" units stationed across the city, ready to respond
quickly to any attack or threat.

However, the impact 26/11 is slowly and slowly fading as time passes by. The security
measures which were taken as a consequence of 26/11, are now lost in time. Many have
developed hostility towards Pakistanis and still hold resentments within their heart, which
might have dire consequences.

Impact of 9/11
The subsequent War on Terror has led to 200,000 American families separating from at least
one family member, usually a spouse or parent, in Iraq. Capitalism requires free travel and
flow of capital. Even after five years, Americans don’t feel free to travel and London is
replacing New York as the financial capital for a good part of the world.

The total economic impact on New York City of the World Trade Centre attacks ranges
between $82.8 and $94.8 billion. 

9/11 led to the largest increase in the United States' Defence budget since the administration
of the late President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. Spending in this area was raised by 26
percent.

The attacks have negatively affected education and social services. Funds that could have
been used for these extremely critical departments have been diverted to support the War on
Terror.

America's global image continues to slip and support for the war on terrorism has declined
even among close US allies like Japan. The war in Iraq is a continuing drag on opinions of
the United States, not only in predominantly Muslim countries but in Europe and Asia as
well.

From the US government wiretapping telephone calls of American citizens without a warrant
to no-fly lists, Americans of all shades and stripes have witnessed the erosion of civil rights
in virtually all aspects of life.