That burning sensation…
I wrote this piece last night and then lost it thanks to my own stupid fiddling with the computer. I was too tired to re-write it and thought I would make a fresh attempt next morning. Next morning, by the time I picked up my thread to start with the most recent Jahangirpuri riots in Delhi, things had moved quite rapidly. Five rioters had been charged under the draconian National Security Act and the local administration had moved in to use the latest arsenal in its sling, the bulldozers to demolish supposedly illegal constructions, mainly targeting Muslim homes and parts of the mosque which was at the heart of the violence three days ago. And this happened despite Supreme Court’s order to stay the demolition which continued well over two hours. Till the time one of the few brave political leaders Brinda Karat herself reached the site carrying a copy of the order and stood in front of the rampaging bulldozers. History will indeed also record who were the officials who despite the court order continued this vengeful drive and in full view of television cameras also showing it live. It was a mini Iraq war being telecast live to the homes of millions of supposedly gleeful nationalist homes. Khargone in Madhya Pradesh last week, Delhi today.
