India claims it is a peaceful democracy governed by the rule of law. Why has no action been taken against Som who offered Rs 5 crore to kill a film maker? What action has been taken against Suraj Pal Amu who increased the prize money to Rs 10 crore? Or to Mahipal Singh who threatened to cut off a nose?

My point is not about the rule of law as an abstract entity. We know that the rule of law fails when dealing with politicians supported by gangsters. I am on the pathology of those who rule us. Why is the PM quiet? Why is Jaitley, the great champion of free speech, silent? Why aren’t chief ministers in whose states the ruckus is happening speaking up?

The truth is none in power takes a stance. And when the “liberals” protest, they are maligned as over-educated intellectuals alien to true India. The inevitable conclusion is that India as we know it is hostile to freedom of expression and democracy itself. Is there any point to an India whose response to democratic speech is stick and stones, with political and legal immunity to those who smash, trash, destroy and kill. The Padmavati incident shows Indian democracy has failed.