Counting the Bars

“Were you arrested” was the first question dad asked when I came home – I nodded gleefully with a sheepish grin on my face. Somehow – at that time it seemed like the ‘in’ thing. Dad laughed – now you know where I get my genes from – to much chagrin of mom, who was grimacing visibly. She must’ve been thinking – ‘My god, my daughter, daughter of a lecturer – arrested ‘– but really nothing mattered at that moment. I was home atlast and more importantly free.

The year was 1991, my first year in college life – the heady combination of not wearing uniform, bunking classes, creating ruckus without being noticed, having canteen food was exhilarating. The college catered to both PU and Degree as well… and the degree folks were ummmm hmmmmmmm what should I say – ‘people with power’. Their bidding was our ultimate command. That was the year when it was decided that the recommendations of the Mandal Commission were to be implemented actually. And that was the news that sent shock waves amongst the public in general and students in specific.

The emotions ran high – everyday the headlines was just one thing - number of protest, students burning themselves, the violence and finally the futility of it all. Our college was definitely definitely not the one to be left behind. So the degree students – yep – the idols for us, took up the cause with great passion. And there we were the first years, the innocent ones, just waiting to fall prey. They stormed the classrooms one fine day – declared a mass shutdown and announced – to our great happiness – that they would join the protest. But everyone, I repeat, each and everyone were clear that it will be non-violent in nature. So there we were, pushed towards the gate, shouting slogans, and generally creating mayhem. Surprisingly, none of the teachers tried to stop us. It is surprising now, that I think about it, but back then ‘who cared’!!! So there she was – my pretty little friend, a petite girl, standing on the compound, cheering the crowd, trying in vain to make her voice felt. I can bet anything, that she had no clue what she was supposed to be shouting. You see all of us, knew what was going on, but at that time, only few and a select few actually realized the humungous impact the implementation of the commission would have on our lives.
So all in all it was just ‘Down Down’ and being happy that there was no college that day – and walking in hordes towards a very busy junction. The plan was the block the junction – this particular junction known as ‘South End’ Circle has 6 big roads intersecting. Connecting junction for a lot of places – so you can imagine what a complete shutdown of that junction would cause!!!

Within few hours – yes, it took quite a few hours – thinking back, I think even they supported us to a very large extent- the police were there in full force. Their agenda was simple, see that the protest continues to be a peaceful march and no violence what-so-ever. When enough chaos was created, the police quietly came and told the ‘leaders’ that we would be arrested. Ah ha – now was when, we opened our eyes to reality. ‘Arrested? My god, how shameful’ should’ve been the thought – but nah, we courted arrest – means, we surrendered to be arrested. Somehow, it sounded glamorous to us, especially when the seniors asked us to do it.

So all of us – about 500 of us, rest of them ran for their lives, were herded inside police vans and taken to different police stations. The police mama where I went was an extra benevolent old chap – me says, I bet he had a kid too, who was feeling very strongly against the happenings. So he got all of us some delicious lemon rice and curd rice. And in the evening, let us off with friendly warning – ‘Don’t do this again, else you know what happens’

What happened was - no classes and a feel good factor that we had done our bit for the protests – all in all a day outing with a gala lunch thrown in!!! How cool is that!!!