There was a serious incident in Westminster today (March 22nd) causing death to five and injury to forty more.
Westminster is a ultra-posh neighborhood that attracts thousands of visitors every day. Situated right at the bank of Thames, it houses Big Ben and the UK’s parliamentary house and is also in the walking distance of London Eye, St James Park and Buckingham Palace. It is also host to the famous Westminster tube station where I change trains on my commute every morning and every evening.
As the Scotland Yard works on the “who” and “why” questions and while the media explores any indication of terrorism, one can only speculate.
I, meanwhile, couldn’t help but notice traces of fear, suspicion and disbelief in the eyes of fellow passengers in the tube on my way home.
Understandably, many are reminded of recent attacks in Nice, Brussels and Berlin and there has been a constant fear of one in London as well.
For me, the nature of this attack, a reckless charge on an innocent crowd and involving a lethal weapon, brought memories of two separate incidents in the streets of Akihabara and Sendai a decade ago. The perpetrators in Japan turned out to be mentally unfit.
Terrorism or mental disorder, insane as they both are, whichever way the motive turns out to be will conceivably move the UK’s political and social paths in different directions.
Prime Minister Theresa May has said it’ll be business as usual in London tomorrow and hopefully it’ll be that way.