Mira had to drink the chalice of poison because of her love for Krishna. As the popular bhajan records, ‘Log kahen Mira bawri’ (people say Mira has gone mad). Gone are the feudal Ranas of Mewar, the country has gained independence —we have democracy and now we have Laloos, Shahabuddins and Ammas.

And yet I ask myself the question: have things changed? The answer resounds in labyrinthine corridors echoing of the thousands of files capturing the dreams, aspirations of a great people and land: we find persecution of an inspirational personality! And that too led by the fourth estate, a supposed pillar of democracy.

Propaganda that psychiatrists with their ECTs and lobotomies should be called in! That a person fit to serve the Lord is not fit to serve as a police officer! That too in this pawan bhumi of rishis, munis and the Ganga. In this era where worship is allowed in the land of Lenin, Stalin and even Mao’s China, have we all become godless communists?

There is a deafening silence from the much extolled ‘civil society’. Where are the human rights wallahs who don’t tire of going on about police atrocities and humanising the force! Here is Inspector General of Police Devendra Kishore Panda, who can be a force, a movement, a tsunami, for humanising our brothers and sisters in uniform, something that can’t be done with the help of a thousand training courses costing crores. Love for Krishna brings out the endearing qualities of kindness and compassion for all beings presently somewhat lacking in our constabulary.

Where are the feminists forever hectoring us about patriarchy and gender stereotypes? Cribbing that women like Indira Gandhi who become successful develop the male psyche. Here is a person breaking our very notions of masculinity-femininity and simultaneously exploding the macho conception of a police officer.

Last, but not the least, where are the proponents of gay rights? One expects them to be out in droves acting out innovative forms of protest to assert the right of IG Panda to apply lipstick, wear navel rings and dance to his heart’s content as Radha with his ta dig dig theyi ...with ghungroos harmoniously meshing with ‘O Krishna where are you?’