Arrest of 22-year-old this week has sent chills, the way she was arrested, sections filed against her, five-day police custody granted by the court just like that. Yes, major newspapers have condemned and heavily criticized the arrest. Yes, there are opinion pieces being written by eminent personalities. But I don’t think any of these denunciations is going to change the ways of the current leadership. This is not the first time and this isn’t going to the last time either.

As I look at it, the intent of this action is clear. A clear, frightening, and fearsome message have been sent to students’ community and the parents – we will not tolerate dissent and we will go to any extent to silence it. You can easily guess the conversations that would have happened at the dining table at homes in the last few days. Focus on your studies. Any opinions, share only at home…not outside. Stay out of social media – don’t state your opinions. Don’t like your friends’ postings. Stay out of protests irrespective of the cause or how democratic it is. It is not your job to correct things…someone else will take care of it. Defriend those active in a cause that is not for the government. It is a free country but not that free. Don’t go against the majority opinion. Parents are highly aware, judicial process is the punishment. They know State has unlimited power and resources at its disposal. They very well understand State has monopoly on violence. As fearful parents, all we can do is control our children.

Democracy survives on the principle that state will not use its power and monopoly on violence on its citizens. Citizens don’t have to live under fear in a democracy. Democracy thrives when contrary opinions and dissent are encouraged and listened to. This contract, this trust seems to be broken now. While writing this, I swing between why bother to what kind of future environment we are leaving for our children. Sway between Frustration to this also will pass wishful thinking. We seem to be getting to a place where we need to think many times before cracking a joke, posting a tweet, or writing an opinion piece – will it land me on the wrong side of the power.

I guess the safest thing to talk about is weather, will it rain today, is it too hot as long as it doesn’t lead to climate change discussion. Or do what I did. I went ahead and ordered a Stanley Electrical Drill toolkit from Amazon. Along with the drill it also came with the hammer. Anytime dissent shows up in my psychological system, I figured out how to give my system the drill (remember give him the drill scene from Gangster Squad) or whack my head with the hammer to get the dissention out. And yes, I never share the #toolkit with others.