Gandhi believed, ‘Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary.’ Political leaders and parties using and justifying violence for electoral and political gains are ignoring the defeat that is facing them in the long run. Narendra Modi and his party supporters in Delhi and elsewhere should be aware of the Frankenstein they are creating by inciting, supporting and perpetuating violence in society. It may be easier to widen the existing cleavages in the society than to bridge them; but if this continues to be the trend it will soon be impossible to bridge these cleavages, it will become impossible to ‘rule’, let alone ‘govern’ an atomised society at war with itself.

Despite all its limitations, civil society in India is waging a heroic battle against such a trend. But overcoming the contradictions will not be easy. Those justifying their brand of violence on one ideological ground or the other should remember what Gandhi said on another occasion, ‘What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?’

The writer is director, Centre for Public Affairs, Noida drmehra@vsnl.com