Why a woman taking on a Delhi cop reflects a changing India

When the young mother of three, riding a scooter in Delhi's posh Golf Links area picked up a brick to chuck at the policeman's bike, she broke thousands of unspoken taboos. After all, many would argue, the policeman was only doing his job.

So why was there an altercation at all? She says after he stopped her for allegedly jumping a red light, and wanted to fine her, she asked for a receipt. But he refused to give it. In the argument that broke out, he too succumbed to his anger and hurled a brick at her. But in the short video that someone filmed with the woman's screaming and scared children pleading in the background, far too many realities confronted us.

These were the realities that India had hidden away. And now the scab is undone...the wound of corruption is sore and open, and blood is oozing out once more.

Was it fear that had kept people from protesting before? And has the fear of authority now completely evaporated? It might be a good thing, and a cleansing which needed to happen what has replaced it? Violent exchanges, likely to get worse?

But even as the failures within the system begin to get exposed, there is cause to worry. Because as we rage against the inequities of the old system, we have not taken any steps towards establishing a new, more just, order. Then where does this revealed reality fit in?

Though one still wonders at the trigger and meaning behind the rage we see everywhere...

Obviously this churning has been happening for a while.

Firstly, it is obvious that the worm is turning. More and more of those who have been oppressed and deprived are finding a voice, and want to express themselves.  Their vocabulary is one of violence, since that is the language an oppressive system has meted out.

Secondly, these flashpoints have become areas of ambiguity: do the abusers still have moral or human rights despite their atrocious behaviour? And so, for example, if the cops are not demonstrating unimpeachable integrity, shouldn't the victims be permitted to hit back in self defence?

Thirdly, how can we maintain a stable society when people are losing all respect for figures of authority, be they politicians or the police?  Can some semblance of law and order be maintained?

Fourthly, the new media makes it impossible to hide anything. In fact, it is largely thanks to vigilant, alert individuals filming on their mobile phones that we are finding out about cases that might not have been accessible to us before.

All of this exposure means that, actually, the system is becoming increasingly fragile. Is there any way to seek change within a democracy other than using violence or anger? Can't we change society through reasonable debate or dialogue?

The other problem is that young India has lost its patience. The young seem to feel that it is impossible for them to wait for justice and fair play. And unfortunately, they might be right. While it does not help, of course, in this already febrile environment, it is easier to raise one's voice and shout and squabble as though that will provide immediate recourse. 

The atmosphere is being increasingly vitiated. One needs to monitor and control this, as otherwise parts of the country could descend into anarchy.

But we have to find solutions which are emollient. Not violent. Make us a calmer society and not so brittle.

If fear of authority was the key that kept us in our place, that key has now eroded. We need another, a new set of beliefs. Where are they?