I read a post this morning that succinctly compared the Indian government’s treatment of Indians to an abusive man who regularly beats his wife and children and grumbles when the neighbours try to intervene, ranting that his actions constituted an internal matter. We are currently witnessing the full might of centuries of patriarchal and casteist oppression.

I wish I could say it is shocking to see images of the police preparing cemented pathways strewn with sharp objects to target tractor tyres, and to read reports of trenches being dug out, paramilitary outfits standing guard and whatnot, all evidence of a government at war with its people. Having personally experienced internet shutdowns in Delhi during the anti-CAA protests, having witnessed the paramilitary waiting to pounce into action with their water cannons and weapons, having suffered the inconvenience of metro stations being closed to stifle the gathering of large numbers, I know to believe what I am presently seeing and hearing.