The assault on Capitol Hill and American democracy should have us rewind to November 7, 1966. On that day, an umbrella organisation of cow-protection groups brought lakhs of people to Delhi, to press upon then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to impose a countrywide ban on cow-slaughter. They drew upon the support of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, particularly its chief Guru Golwalkar, the Jana Sangh, the Hindu Mahasabha, socio-religious outfits such as the Arya Samaj and, yes, a few conservative Congress leaders.

The carnival mood at the protest site turned into rage as Swami Rameshwaranand, an MP of the Jana Sangh, which was renamed Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980, took the mike. Rameshwaranand had just been suspended from the Lok Sabha for stalling its proceedings. "They have turned me out of the House," he said. "Go and teach them a lesson." Waves of cow-protectionists, including naked sadhus with ashes smeared on their bodies, stormed the approaches of the Parliament complex, set ablaze buildings in the vicinity, and laid siege to then Congress president K Kamaraj`s residence. The police opened fire. Five people died, the stormtroopers were dispersed, and Indira Gandhi sacked Home Minister Gulzarilal Nanda.