Riots : Def

Riots are a form of civil disorder characterized by disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence, vandalism or other crime. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are typically chaotic and exhibit herd behavior.

Riots often occur in reaction to a perceived grievance or out of dissent. Historically, riots have occurred due to poor working or living conditions, government oppression, taxation or conscription, conflicts between races or religions (see race riot and pogrom), or even the outcome of a sporting event. Some claim^{[citation needed]} that rioters are motivated by a rejection of or frustration with legal channels through which to air their grievances.

Riots typically involve vandalism and the destruction of private and public property. The specific property to be targeted varies depending on the cause of the riot and the inclinations of those involved. Targets can include shops, cars, restaurants, state-owned institutions, and religious buildings.

CONGRESS wins 3 states, BJP retains 2

Putting up an impressive show in the Assembly elections, the Congress worsted BJP in Rajasthan, scored a hat-trick in Delhi and regained power in Mizoram while the saffron party had to remain content with retaining Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

While the Congress got clear majorities in Delhi and Mizoram, it may be slightly short of the majority mark of 101 in Rajasthan winning 74 seats and ahead in 23 others. The ruling BJP has won in 52 seats and was ahead in 26.

The BSP has won four seats and was leading in one while independents have bagged 11 and were ahead in four.

Others won four seats and were leading in one.

Led by Shiela Dikshit, the Congress retained power for the third consecutive term in Delhi, winning 40 seats in the 70-member Assembly in a keenly fought battle.

The BJP, which was hoping to wrest power after 10 years, was left behind at 22 seats. The BSP won two seats while INLD and LJP bagged one each. Results for three seats are yet to be declared.

Bagging a two-thirds majority in Mizoram, the Congress wrested power from the Mizo National Front after a decade, winning 29 of the 40 seats.

The elections, seen as the 'semi-final' ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year, brought cheer to the Congress which had faced a debacle in 13 states after coming to power at the head of a coalition at the Centre in 2004.

The BJP, which hoped to cash in on the Terror card and sweep in all the states barring Mizoram, managed to retain their grip on power in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh on the development plank, breaking the jinx of failing to get re-elected in any state other than Gujarat.

Netas Acts : Post Mumbai

26/11 is proving to be the modulator of political motormouths who, contrary to their trait, are weighing silence in gold.

Ubiquitous dramatis personae Raj Thackeray, Amar Singh, Mayawati, Rajnath Singh and Narendra Modi, who dominated headlines and TV screens till Mumbai was raided by Pak-sponsored fidayeen, have simply melted away from public view.

The vanishing act is a conscious decision to stay out of the firing line owing to public anger against politicians, especially those with aggressive sectarian agenda.

A past master of glib quotes said, "I have simply decided to keep quiet. Why risk anger of agitated masses." The view is held across party lines.

Managing public profile against a groundswell of anti-politician mood is proving a tough task. Maharashtra CM Vilasrao Deshmukh may have escaped the sack had he not taken movie man Ram Gopal Verma to the Taj in what is being dubbed "terror tourism". His deputy R R Patil has fallen for trying to defend his role as home minister by diminishing the magnitude of Mumbai terror. Narendra Modi got swayed by his `iron man' hype to forget that politicians, post-Mumbai, were a strict no-no. Kerala CM V S Achuthanandan tripped on the same trick.

Though Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi tried to brazen it out by dumbing down the public fury as "powder & lipstick" campaign, BJP quickly disowned him.

Virtues of silence are being discovered across the political spectrum. "I saw the fate of Modi and VS. What did Vilasrao do wrong? It is just the mood around," said a senior politician, advocating low profile for his creed.

If 26/11 is the defining moment in their behavioural pattern, the evidence is incontrovertible. Raj Thackeray virtually monopolised the media space since his henchmen kicked off a campaign against North Indians in October. The focus was firmly on him when he visited his estranged ailing uncle Bal Thackeray on November 23. Three days later, when commandos from Bangalore and Dehradun died for Mumbaikars, he vanished with his campaign.

Observers say with their existence threatened, the middle-classes are seeing caste and religion agendas as villains. In fact, the fear of attracting popular anger has squeezed out otherwise acceptable bombastic statements on defeating terror.

SP brass, which seized on post-Batla House anger among Muslims to run a shrill campaign against Congress, has forgotten it, as it appears, for good.

Mayawati has chosen to shun sniping at rivals when the poll season normally would have brought out the `best' from her. Even BJP chief Rajnath Singh is not speaking in defence of Malegaon accused anymore.