In 1994, Rwanda witnessed a genocide unlike any other in modern times. Over months (there was a historical context too) the propaganda machine had slowly made the conversation so toxic and polarised that relatives and family members were justifying acts against each other, which in any other situation or time would have left them aghast. Radio was used effectively to fuel suspicion and discord. It didn’t end well. I repeat, I am not being alarmist and am aware that such a situation is nowhere in the realms of possibility here in India (Akhlaq’s murder by his villagers sparked by a loudspeaker announcement was a one-off). I use Rwanda to make the point that regular, decent and rational people defending or participating in horrific acts is not an overnight event. It’s a slow process. We keep pushing the bar of what is acceptable. Defending violent acts against our peers is the first step. What we have to wait and see is just how far it will go and how much will be defended. We have already seen Akhlaq’s murder being justified by people in responsible positions.

