blackandblue!

Ever been manhandled, beaten up? No, I am not talking about spanking from parents, brawl with a friend or foe, or a fight in a football match. I mean, on the street on broad daylight for no fault or reason whatsoever?

Today is 12th Match 2008.
I had to go Whitefield for a meeting starting at 8:00 am. Around 7:45/7:50 I was near Kundanhalli (near Marathalli, Bangalore) where I would take a left turn ahead to go towards Transworks/iFlex office and I kept to the left side of the road waiting for the signal. A car (old maruthi 800) coming out of a garage off the road and trying to squeeze in to the main flow, hit a motorbike stationary on my left side which caused the bike to get jammed against my car’s left . When I got out of the car, I checked a few bad scratches and small dents. The bike rider and the driver of the car were already arguing. Nothing happened to the bike because of its front protruding bar. The old car seemed badly beaten already to notice any difference. The driver of the car, a kid in his teens must be, with a slight beard spoke in Kannada and said the brake of the car is not working properly. I assumed the kid must be a helper in garage, and knew that would no way have any money for damage.

When the bike rider moved on, I asked the kid (first in my broken Kannada, and then turning to Hindi) how why he would even try to squeeze in traffic with bad brakes. The kid replied arrogantly in pretty decent Hindi, and part English that the damage would cost me nothing and tried to move away. I asked him to stop. The kid retorted in Kannada showering me handsome praising; and I said I will take note of the car number and give to the cop standing at the signal some 20 meters away or so. The kid threatened to throw a punch at me and I was taken aback, surprised at impudence of the kid; I caught his arm and asked him to come to the police when he was turning away and giving me gaalis all the while.

The moment I caught his arm, he punched at my face, caught my collar, dragged me below and in the process tore my shirt. I was too shocked to react, when I angrily got up, few others from behind suddenly joined in kicking, punching, stamping. I remember that I was trying to get up repeatedly and these guys kept on pushing me down and hitting me. I don’t know how long it was for, a min or more. I don’t even remember the other 2 faces, and I tried to block and retaliate in some blind daze and somehow managed to shout for police. The beating stopped and I stood up and tried to make some sense, and furiously trying to find a cop; one of the guys, a big fat one, returned and kicked me again from the back. My nose was bleeding, my shirt torn, my face, jaws, head, shoulders and back, legs and knees hurting badly, full of dust all over, cut inside my mouth now tasting of blood, it was bizarre; I was in a daze; Good-office-going people around, would not want to interfere of course; other than look with pity probably.

I got inside the car and drove to the cop, and told him the incident. I told him the car number; He asked to go and report to the police. Hmmm .. like Upamanyu Chatterjee, the only reason, I attempted civil services (I flunked), was on the thought that only becoming an IAS officer will shield the civilian from police harassments. I thought I would reach my destination and will probably have time to think and decide. Later on, I gave up on the futility of registering any case; also the fat guy seemed pro, in my bid to protect and lift myself from the ground, I remember this guy particularly trying to aim and hit my face and head, back and knees. This is not wrestle, a brawl .. this is done calmly and intension to maximize injury. Sooo.. whats the story, morning glory? Y! I took the beating and moved on!


I remember, probably early 2000/2001; once returning home late, I found the auto driver cheating;and when I enquired and arguments started, other auto drivers came forth and caught hold of the driver, mediated and made him apologize. Prosperity brings money that brings crime that brings down morality and mortality and somehow in the process, savages keep growing in number, getting bolder and ruthless and above the law.
“No one is free, even the birds are chained to the sky.” – Bob Dylan