A River Called Teesta

Through 26/11 and the next 60 hours that violated so many lives in Mumbai, I happened to be in Ahmedabad. Incongruously, there was no public display of emotions in this city, known to be short on its communal fuse. In private too, hate-speech seemed minimal. That Narendra Modi captured eyeballs by strategically locating himself between the Taj Hotel and the TV cameras was discussed approvingly. No one suggested that this might have been gamesmanship of the worst kind. Yet there was no ratcheting up of passions. The only bizarre twist I heard was from some prosperous businessmen, who said, "Of course, no one will be punished because Teesta Setalvad will come in between and talk of human rights." All power to Teesta for having made such a dent in the popular consciousness.