Later, walking toward the hotel, conversation turned into debate. Over food, Mubashir and I argued on RSS and polarisation. He insisted the problem lay in lack of education, pointing to a softer, rebranded RSS. I countered with lived experience and the documented past—riots, orchestrated polarization, the poisoning of institutions, the weaponization of Brahmanism disguised as Hinduism, even mocking science while tightening cultural control. Bhagwat’s sugar-coated words or leaders’ whitewashing couldn’t erase the reality: RSS was born from authoritarian impulses, guilty of Gandhi’s assassination, and remains an engine of division. Eventually, we found common ground: whether or not one sees RSS as the villain, the government itself has failed in providing even the bare minimum, choosing spectacle over reform. From there, we walked on to Jama Masjid, entering its streets of sweets and aromas, but also harsh realities—families sleeping on sidewalks, men curled up on rented rickshaws, ...
The day began with a journey from Jamia to Delhi Gate, where I walked toward the I.U.M.L. office with Mubashir guiding the way. He spoke with passion about history, heritage, and food, not only introducing me to the people around us but also introducing me as though weaving me into that heritage. As we were leaving, Mubashir suddenly said: “Let’s go back—you should talk to those students visiting North India.” I resisted: “No way!” But somehow, the sense of presence demanded attendance. Inside, I listened. The first speaker spoke of history and heritage as experience. The second dwelt on today’s polarisation and its reasons. The third ended with statistics, academic insights, and leadership. But to me, it all felt like fragments, none piercing deep enough to stir “I must do something.” My mind kept weaving a story to connect their dots. Then suddenly—my turn. At first, I declined sitting in the front. Later, I was called again. Nervous, yes, but I opened with a dua: asking to be ...