Attack on Sanjay Leela Bhansali made a mockery of democracy

The barbaric attack on Sanjay Leela Bhansali at Jaipur’s Jaigarh fort by Karni Sena goons is deeply disturbing. Karan Johar, who was one of the first to show solidarity with Bhansali, tweeted about feeling anger, helplessness and repeatedly thinking of the physical assault on a fellow filmmaker, a colleague. It is indeed this feeling of shock which captures the chill of how casually fringe groups can take the law in their hands and resort to mob violence and vandalising in our country. Anytime they may invoke their ‘right to feel offended’ and decide to make some big headlines through harassment, rowdiness and destruction – plenty of precedents exist for that.