ArpitGarg's Weblog

I see a lot of people complaining as to why so much media attention (social media and otherwise) and outrage over Paris attacks whereas attacks in Beirut the day before totally ignored.

They are right to an extent. Yes the attention is more for Paris attacks. But the reason is not just of white supremacy. The reason is the city of Paris itself. Paris, the undisputable romantic capital of the world.

The attention is due to love significance of city of Paris. I agree that other such attacks in less rich countries do deserve the same outrage, which unfortunately is not the case. But should it make the pain of Paris any less?

I was in Mumbai when the city was attacked in 2008. At that time also same argument was put forward. The media attention was because the rich live in Mumbai. No, definitely not. Mumbai is a city of realizing the dreams. Mumbai, the city of Bollywood. The media attention was due to this significance of Mumbai. Everyday hundreds of youngsters travel to Mumbai to make it big in Bollywood. Mumbai for most is a place to fulfill the dreams. And when this dreamland is attacked, the media attention is bound to be more. This does not make attacks on any other part of country or world any less savage. Nor does this make pain of Mumbai or Paris any less.

In today’s day and age, social media has become a potent weapon in hands of common people. Use it to highlight the pain of people across the world due to such brutal attacks. Be it Syria or Beirut or Kabul or Iraq. Make their pain known. But please don’t negate the pain of people of Paris.

I have seen a lot of discussions on aggression role of Govt’s, American, French, and Indian which led to such retaliatory attacks. However some people go overboard and condemn the citizens as well. I urge all of us to avoid this. Expose the Govt. but spare the citizens. Stand by them in the hour of pain. Share the agony and help allay the fears. Govt’s can be wrong but citizens are the ones that change the Govt’s with a finger.

Don’t alienate the citizens. I stand with people of Paris, I stand with people of Mumbai and I stand with people of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria and all such places which have lost precious human lives.