Not safe to be a citizen.

The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been taken unawares by the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and its "surprise, poor-judgement and combative style" have led it to "use disproportionate force against peaceful protesters", wrote Nitin Pai. Opponents of the government have fanned protests by portraying it as anti-Muslim, although the Act only seeks to protect those fleeing genuine religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, which are Muslim countries and, therefore, Muslims cannot face religious persecution there. If Rohingyas from Myanmar are to be included, why not Shias in Saudi Arabia, Kurds in Turkey or Sunnis in Iran? The government in Uttar Pradesh (UP) responded with excessive force, with videos showing "wanton force unleashed by UP police, deliberately destroying private vehicles, shops and mercilessly beating all and sundry including onlookers", wrote Manoj Joshi. Indians are used to being killed by the governments they elect. In 2017, police shot six farmers dead in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh (MP) who were merely asking for higher prices for their produce so that they could repay their debts. After initially denying it, MP Home Minister had to accept that it was the police who had done the killing. "Farmers of MP are peace-loving. They do not indulge in violent activities," said Rural Development Minister Narender Singh Tomar. If the farmers are "peace-loving" why were they shot? "There is a conspiracy behind this entire incident," assured the minister. Perhaps, the 11,000 farmers who had committed suicide in MP in the nine years leading up to 2017 were also conspiring against the government. Last year, 9 people were shot dead in Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu for protesting against a copper plant which, they suspected, was poisoning the ground water. For months after the shooting, women and children were being terrorised by the local police who would break into houses in the middle of the night looking for men to beat up. In 2011, police in Delhi brutally attacked anti-corruption protesters who were sleeping at night. A woman died of a broken back. Different states, different political parties, same result. Following a split decision in Maharashtra election President's rule was lifted at 5.47 am and a BJP government sworn in by the Governor at 8 am. The government lasted for only 80 hours, following which a coalition government has been formed. What about the voter. "She voted for one combination and one ideology, but got a different combination with a fluid ideology," wrote Rajrishi Singhal. "This is not new in Indian politics; for years, elections have become convenient instruments for a power grab, regardless of the nature of the mandate." "This government has mastered the politics of distraction," wrote SD Shangvi. "The politics of distraction ultimately makes way for the politics of thuggery; you will do what we say or we shall make you." That is what thugs do. Citizens can't.