Political parties of all hues should share the blame for legitimizing the cult leader. The eventual use of force to deal with the violence—including the use of pellet guns—was a valid response by the state machinery. All functioning modern states rest on the assumption that the government has the sole monopoly over violence. What is true in Kashmir is also true in Haryana. There is need for a national discussion on why rich states such as Punjab and Haryana are falling prey to everything from drugs to religious cults.

Source: Mint August 27, 2017 17:48 UTC