What happened in Delhi were anti-Muslim riots in which Hindus also lost their lives. Sometimes, it is important to call a spade a spade. If you would look at this incident in isolation, you would be tempted to use words like “scuffle”, “violence”, “clashes”, “fight” etc.

Go back to what happened in Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University in December last year.

Go back to the Prime Minister’s “un logon ko unke kapdon se pehchan sakte hain” speech.

Go back to the Home Minister’s “aise button dabao ke Shaheen Bagh mein current lage” speech.

Go back to Parvesh Varma’s “yeh log aapke ghar mein ghusenge, aapki bahu-betiyon ka rape karenge. Isilye aaj hi samay hai” speech.

And of course, the fear and paranoia because of the CAA, the detention centers, etc.

The Othering of Muslims has been happening both overtly and covertly. In the psyche of the Indian middle-class in general and the Hindu middle-class in particular, Muslims are the absolute Other. This class has always hated and been scared of Muslims and its idea of “diversity” is just limited to going to Gurudwaras and celebrating Christmas.

I am definitely not talking about people who work in the corporate sector like me who have numerous Muslim friends. We are not “India“. (Of course, there is Islamophobia in the academia and the corporate sector).

But I am talking about a typical lower-middle-class/middle-class Hindu household.

This incident has cracked open the fabric of our society and unveiled the hatred, fear, and anger that knit us together.

So, instead of simplifying the issue by making the “both sides are responsible” argument, it would be useful if we can step back and ask some tough questions to ourselves, our families and friends, and most importantly, to the people in power.

In short, yes! It has changed! I am now told what to eat, what to drink, whom to worship. Don’t criticize the government!

It has been 6 years of Modi/BJP rule in India and have seen how Modi rule has impacted India.

I believe that the old Congress government has become arrogant, tired, and scared of taking any policy decisions for fear of being scandalised in corruption charges.

When Modi came in, the change was sudden. There was optimism in the air as Modi took the oath of Prime Minister. Suddenly, we saw a man who was different. From the ramparts of the Red Fort, he dared to talk about clean toilets and exhort mothers to keep an eye on their young boys. It was a pleasant change. My confidence in him multiplied when he brought out the note ban. Finally, I thought, here is someone who dares to deal with corruption. He came with the promise of a new India, a new way of doing things. I was hopeful.

But then there were more talks, and talks, and talks, and schemes, and taxes, and more and more talks, schemes, and taxes. There came news about churches being burned, mosques being defiled, rapists being honoured. Politicians from the ruling party came out in support of gangs of men who raped a minor Muslim girl. Vigilante groups were formed and lynching started. Did people stop defecating in the toilets? No. I still see people defecating in the open. The Ganges river is still polluted, and worse than it was six years before. I still see people going for a early morning poo in the banks of the holiest river in my country and around the rail tracks. Train bathrooms are still dirty and nothing has changed.

Suddenly I saw my old school friends and some family members changing and becoming radicalised. Now they became Hindus, Muslims, Christians, rights wings, left wings, communists, Lib-tarts, prestitutes etc. A sense of fear came upon people, especially the minorities – read Muslims and Christians. Suddenly talks moved away from development to who will build the temple? The safety and protection of the cow is a major agenda. Kids have had to vacate schools so that stray cows can be housed.

You cannot question the government – read the Prime Minister – or you are labelled anti-national. The government acts with complete impunity and goes about doing things as it feels, thanks to the majority it enjoys in the parliament.

Questions posed during the interviews to the Prime Minister are like this –

What is the secret of your undying energy?

How do you fast for 9 days without eating food?

What is the secret of your positive attitude?

Today in my country, free speech, thought and expression are under threat. The institutions which have stood the test of time are under threat. The idea that corruption has been eradicated is a smokescreen. Corruption is still alive and thriving, it’s just a little bit low key. The local police still demand bribes to get things done. Even to get an FIR lodged for a lost passport, you pay Rs. 750 as bribe to the local police station.

The point is that India was affiliated with all these issues before as well. But what this government has added is division, blind worship of a leader, and scare mongering.

I had high hopes. I really had.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton