Labelization!
This India trip was a series of arguments. I felt like a inept solitary ninja wielding my sword against a huge group of fighters closing in on me. The arguments centered around whether the Muslims in India are radicals/terrorists and what should be their fate. Indians i met, (read middle class educated Hindus) are convinced that all Indian Muslims are jihadis or on their way to become one! Most of the arguments are something which one has heard since the time of ramjanmabhomi movement (they cheer for pakistan in cricket matches, fundamentalist etc) and heard from the hardliners of BJP/VHP/Bajrang Dal/modi etc (all are terrorists and out to get us). While the former is plain silly the latter is both unfounded and a generalization. But this time what is scary is that more middle class common Indians seem to be agreeing. Fewer liberal voices are protesting! But the clinching argument often comes from the news of another bomb blast done by some radical group. Another worrisome point is tha