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By:

Correspondent

23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Wise Intervention

If the Centre’s response to the NEET protests has been an admixture of vacillation, force and defensiveness, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s unequivocal endorsement of Gen Z may prove to be the most politically astute intervention since the agitation began. By recognising the legitimacy of young Indians’ grievances instead of questioning their patriotism, Bhagwat may have prevented a crisis over examination leaks from becoming a lasting rupture with the ruling BJP’s future electorate. While...

Wise Intervention

If the Centre’s response to the NEET protests has been an admixture of vacillation, force and defensiveness, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s unequivocal endorsement of Gen Z may prove to be the most politically astute intervention since the agitation began. By recognising the legitimacy of young Indians’ grievances instead of questioning their patriotism, Bhagwat may have prevented a crisis over examination leaks from becoming a lasting rupture with the ruling BJP’s future electorate. While protesters are readily caricatured as troublemakers or political pawns, Bhagwat has consciously rejected that temptation. By insisting that young demonstrators are neither anti-national nor outsiders but India’s own next generation, he has reframed the debate from one of confrontation to one of responsibility. While the protests spearheaded by Abhijit Dipke and his Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) took a notably ugly turn, leading many citizens to cast aspersions on the motivations on the protestors and their credibility, the controversy over examination leaks is nevertheless a serious and burning issue reflecting deeper anxieties among millions of young Indians about fairness, merit and opportunity. Bhagwat’s admission that “something that shouldn’t happen” had indeed happened, and that such failures indicated “a deficiency” requiring correction, was an important recognition that government institutions must be capable of introspection. Equally striking was his understanding of generational change. His observation that his own generation accepted authority while Gen Z demands logical answers was a graceful acceptance that democratic engagement has evolved. Young Indians today question institutions because they have higher expectations of them. Mature democracies do not fear such questioning, and that is what Bhagwat’s remarks implied. His approach may carry considerable political significance for the ruling BJP. India is one of the world’s youngest democracies, with more than half its population below the age of 35. By 2029, Gen Z will constitute one of the country’s most influential electoral constituencies. Alienating them through dismissive rhetoric or excessive force would have been politically costly. Bhagwat’s unequivocal expression of trust - going so far as to say that if asked to trust blindly, he would trust Gen Z - offers a markedly different message. It tells young Indians that criticism of administrative failures need not place them outside the national mainstream. In doing so, Bhagwat may also have blunted attempts by politically motivated groups to convert legitimate student grievances into a broader campaign of perpetual confrontation. Every democracy contains forces that seek to transform dissatisfaction into lasting alienation from constitutional politics. The surest antidote is not denunciation but through engagement. By recognising the legitimacy of protest while emphasising dialogue and democratic methods, Bhagwat has reduced the space for those seeking to escalate anger into indiscriminate agitation.

Forensic Response in Mass Fatality Tragedies

Disaster response is not only about saving lives—it is also about restoring names, truth, and dignity to those who have been lost.

Mass fatality preparedness is not a topic most people think about until tragedy strikes. The recent Delhi blast, which shook the city and left families searching desperately for answers, reminds us that disaster response is not only about saving the living but also about identifying and honouring the dead. Every disaster scene holds two urgent missions: one of rescue and another of remembrance. It demands a well-coordinated forensic system that can identify victims, trace the source of the event, and preserve the dignity of those lost. Each response must blend science, coordination, and compassion.


In every mass fatality incident, the chaos is immediate and overwhelming. Dozens of bodies, personal belongings, and fragmented remains challenge responders to bring order and meaning. The first few hours are critical: securing the blast site, collecting biological and trace evidence, and mapping the scene. Each body or fragment is a potential identifier, and each object – be it a car part, mobile phone, or CCTV footage – can tell investigators what happened and who was involved.


After an explosion, visual recognition often fails; faces are burned and fragmented, and fingerprints may be destroyed. Forensic pathologists determine cause and manner of death, while odontologists match dental charts when all else is lost. DNA experts extract profiles from the smallest tissue or bone sample to connect victims with their loved ones. Forensic anthropologists reconstruct fragmented remains to ensure that every person, even in pieces, is accounted for. Together, these specialists work within the Interpol Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) framework, collecting, comparing, and reconciling post-mortem and antemortem data until every name is restored.


Trace Movements

Alongside victim identification, CCTV footage helps trace movements, vehicles, and suspicious activity before the blast. Vehicle number analysis identifies cars or bikes used to transport explosives or flee the scene. In past cases like the Hyderabad Dilsukhnagar Twin Blasts (2013), CCTV and vehicle tracking led investigators to key suspects. Mobile phone data (CDR and others), GPS, and messages help map communication and movement around the time of the explosion. These digital clues help forensic teams reconstruct events accurately.


These operations demand close coordination among all agencies. The Delhi blast revealed both efficiency and gaps: swift action, but delays caused by limited facilities and incomplete records. Clear SOPs and trained DVI units are essential to improve future response. Without proper alignment, evidence can be lost, identities can be mismatched, and grief can be prolonged.


Yet preparedness is not only about software or equipment. It begins with training and empathy. After the Pulwama attack (2019), forensic teams faced immense emotional pressure, yet their disciplined approach allowed nearly all victims to be identified quickly through DNA and dental comparison. Such examples show that planning and compassion can coexist under extreme circumstances.


Consistent Planning

Building this capacity requires consistent planning and investment. Every state should develop specialised DVI units, mobile morgue facilities, and DNA databases to respond quickly during large-scale incidents. Regular mock drills can test coordination among police, forensic experts, and health authorities, ensuring each team knows its role before a real crisis occurs. Preparedness should never start after a tragedy; it must be an ongoing process. Public awareness plays an equally important part. Families should understand the value of keeping updated dental, medical, and identification records, as these often become crucial for confirming identities in emergencies.


Ultimately, mass fatality preparedness is about respect for science, procedure, and human life itself. The Delhi blast should remind us to strengthen how we respond when lives are lost. Each identified victim represents a promise kept to their family and to society. With proper preparedness, even in the midst of chaos, we can restore order, truth, and dignity.


(Dr. Kumar is a retired IPS and forensic consultant to the Assam government. Das is a student of National Forensic University, Guwahati.)

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