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        Despite all the talk of communal amity and the easy inter-mixing of religions in Indian society, organic peace and tranquility is still largely fragile, susceptible to being torn asunder at the slightest provocation. Exhibit number one: The violence in the tourist town of Agra over the last two days. First, the facts of the case: A truck accidentally hit four Muslim men riding a motorcycle in violation of all traffic rules. As per reports they were ostensibly observing Shab-e-Barat — a night of prayers for departed souls. The four piled on a small bike and riding rashly was an invitation to tragedy. But what followed was unmitigated hooliganism as armed mobs went on a reckless rampage. Girded gangs from the Muslim-filled mohallas of Agra attacked the police station where the truck had been parked. Soon the louts were all over the place. They first set afire the truck and then moved on to other vehicles in the vicinity. And not sated, they then targetted Hindu households and it was all an orgy of violence and vituperation. Such was the violent ferocity of the goons that the police initially took shelter behind closed doors and the District Magistrate had to cower in a locked room. The sad part was that the unfortunate accident was also used to settle communal scores and many innocent Hindus ended up paying a price for the orchestrated death dance.

        As we said, the whole unseemly episode underscores the tenuous fibres that exist between the majority community of the nation —— the Hindus — and the minorities, who lacking in numbers, have been attempting to compensate that with volubility and mischief. It also shows that minorities are caught in a self-defeating persecution complex, and tend to see the entire world through the prism of their religion. The governments' failure lie in the fact that they have created a situation wherein it pays to be in the minority community. If minorityism is going to be very rewarding those falling in its ambit are only going to wear it on their sleeves.

        Coming back to the specific incident in Agra, it shows that even a routine (howsoever tragic) accident is reason enough for the extreme elements to whip up a communal frenzy and go out hammer and tongs against the Hindus. These rowdy groups are emboldened by the reality that they are not usually brought to book by the administration which is generally pusillanimous when it comes to dealing with Muslim radicals. And if in case the law enforcers get anywhere near the offenders, the aggressors quickly take refuge behind the large smokescreen called secularism. For instance when Saddam Hussain was hanged in Baghdad, many Muslim groups feigning outrage went into an overdrive of violence in North India. Pliant administration and pussyfooting politicos ensured that the louts had a free run. The rowdy elements within the minority communities should realise that they are not doing any help to to their own brethren. Their violence will only further alienate them from the general mainstream. To blame the majority community for their faults, though easy, is patently unfair.-I--H-Piecemeal peace