Defiant Leopold Cafe opens doors, albeit briefly

Mumbai: Slogans of "Bharath Matha Ki Jai" (Praise be to Mother India) reverberated in the air when Leopold Café, that witnessed a bloodbath three days ago, opened its doors to the public yesterday afternoon for a brief period.

Customers and well-wishers thronged the café shouting slogans and holding placards to show support.

The café served the first drink to an old-time customer Salim Sharafally and his six year old son, Ali.

But the shutters came down again within minutes, as owners had apparently not taken the permission of police to reopen.

According to the café owners, the reopening was a symbol of Mumbai's resumption of normal life.

Farzad Jehani, owner, told Gulf News, "I have to open the shop to prove to the terrorists that they have lost, and we have won. I know that people would be scared to come to the place. But if I don't make the initiative, when will they come?" he asked.

According to him, he was on the first floor of the café when he first heard a blast. "After throwing the grenade, they started firing randomly inside. There were few casualties here. I think they were in more of a hurry to go to the Taj, because this road leads there. Leopold was targeted to distract the police's attention," he added.

Ten people, including two Leopold staff members, four foreigners and four customers died when two armed men threw grenades and opened fire at the café.

Farhang, brother of Jehani, who is also a partner, said they were in the process of completing the installation of circuit cameras when the attack happened.

"The connection was not complete. Otherwise, we could have got the footage of the culprits," he said.

He also added that they might decide to retain the bullet holes on the windows and wood panels, as a tribute to the victims and as remembrance of the fateful night.

Saif, a staff member at Leopold who was back on duty said he still cannot believe that two of his colleagues, Peeru Pasha and Kazi, are not there any more.

Members of the public welcomed the opening of the café.