It is a common conception that if the wealthy will, they can alter the functioning of society. Material wealth can coerce political change. The view travelling around is that since politicians have failed, the elite should bring about the required change. Is this not what’s happening in Bangkok, causing its chaos?

The Bombay attacks may appear as first as though they were targeted at a sub-set, the elite, which can broadly be equated to the elite in Thailand. Taj does represent a stratum of Bombay — those who indulge in a quick coffee at Shamiana, or lazy lunch at Wasabi, or an afternoon of pampering at the Jiva Spa. However, lush hotels were not the sole targets. Colaba itself is home to people from all walks of life — it’s representative both of India and those who visit us from abroad. The top-down change the protesters demand will not, cannot be broadly representative. Yes, our system has its drawbacks, but politicians have been elected to represent India as a whole. The political class is not merely a manifestation of the elite. And if it were, how would India be different from Bangkok?

alia.allana@expressindia.com