During the nationwide uproar over the Singur and Nandigram incidents, Kaurav was still in school, and the opposition party in West Bengal had only one member in the Lok Sabha. Kaurav’s world was small, unaware of how deeply politics could permeate every aspect of life. However, his sympathy for leftist ideology was inherited from his family, which also made today’s Madam (the Chief Minister) his ideological adversary. During the Singur controversy, Kaurav’s grandfather supported the Left Front government, explaining to him the importance of employment and development.
“Then why did she fast for twenty-six days?”
“Because she’s the opposition!”
A few months later, on March 14th, Kaurav’s grandfather became completely silent. That night, Kaurav woke up to witness his grandfather slipping into eternal sleep. A few days later, on television, he saw a march organized by the civil society. It was during that march that Kaurav first saw Ronida and Aparna Ghosh, one of the leaders of the movement.
One night, after dinner, during a casual conversation, Kaurav remarked, “As the march reached Rabindra Sadan, a scuffle broke out with the police, and many were arrested.” Hearing this, Pornadi burst out laughing. Kaurav, puzzled, looked at her in confusion, and she composed herself to narrate the full incident.
“I was in school that day. Suddenly, my father called me. I was so worried that I picked up the call right in the middle of class. He’d just returned home after bypass surgery a few days ago, and I was afraid something had happened again. But as soon as I answered, my father scolded me furiously:
‘Who on earth did you marry? A coward, someone who just fled! While the police were arresting everyone, he just disappeared. Why can’t I see him in the police van?’
I couldn’t make sense of anything and told him, ‘Father, I’m in class. I’ll talk later,’ and hung up. I realized the entire class was staring at me in shock. Somehow, I finished the class and called Ronida before heading to the staff room.
‘Where are you?’
‘At home.’
‘You didn’t join the march?’
‘I did. But I left.’
‘What? I heard there was a big commotion. Where are the others?’
‘They were taken away by the police.’
‘The police arrested them, and you fled in fear? Disgusting!’”
As Kaurav looked questioningly at Ronida, he replied, “When they were singing Karar Oi Louhokopat in jail to protest, who do you think went to bail them out?”
“Ah, as if you would’ve dared to go alone! If it wasn’t for all the people with you, you’d never have gone,” Pornadi retorted, pinching him playfully.
Siddharthada, who was among those jailed during the incident, had told Kaurav how the police officer in charge—known for his refined yet domineering behavior—was now the Additional Commissioner of the metropolis.
At that time, Kaurav’s father was posted in Suri. He had called Kaurav’s mother and said, “Thank God I’m not in the police.” Meanwhile, his maternal grandparents and relatives had confidently stated, “No matter what happens, Buddhadeb will return to power.” His grandmother had simply muttered, “Shivam,” and his grandfather had no strength left to express anything.
By then, Kaurav’s mother would seldom find him at home in the afternoons—her son had “grown up,” after all.
Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. The views and opinions expressed in this novel are those of the characters and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, or entity. Reader discretion is advised.