A Strange Sighting

Surprises. Delhi is full of surprises. It is the one constant in the otherwise flexible and continuously changing way of life here.This single characteristic above all others lends Delhi its uniqueness. Delhi never ceases to throw up something unexpected in the face of even its well-versed inhabitants. Any mundane day can instantly be spruced up by a vision or incident that seems to twist the fabric of our ordered social lives and leave one wondering and thinking and marvelling at the sights this city keeps throwing up.

It is generally held in Delhi that Gurgaon, one of its satellite cities, seems to be in almost another world. Agreeably, there is almost a monumental shift in the surroundings; however it is not so departed as to be treated with some different sort of yardstick. Over the years, Gurgaon has become an intrinsic part of Delhi and for almost all intents and purposes, is regarded by most, as a part of Delhi itself.

As I crossed over into Gurgaon in the morning, I noticed an eerie phenomenon. The traffic was squeezing itself out of one lane, causing a slow moving build-up in the other two. As I cautiously moved into the empty lane, I spotted a procession of around a score of men walking down my way. I swiftly moved back into the traffic, for processions in Delhi are known to wreak havoc on unsuspecting and innocent commuters who happen to be in the wrong place in the wrong time. The procession proceeded proudly, opposite to the traffic, menacingly ordering traffic out of their lane. They bore no banners, shouted no slogans, only the Indian tricolour held aloft by one of the men. They seemed obviously upset over something but it was undeclared, they gave no indication towards the reason of their march. Processions and protest marches are quite a spectacle in Delhi. Loud, noisy, boisterous affairs which seldom remain peaceful. Most end in clashes with the authorities and come to an end without concrete conclusions. This one seemed different for this reason alone. However defiant it seemed it was different as it was subdued and it was this fact that made it all the more intriguing. As the procession continued, I spotted two men, around whom the rest of the people were obviously centred. Why this fact was so blatantly apparent is this: these two gentlemen were entirely nude. Devoid of any clothing or footwear, they carried only a hand held fan.

My thoughts immediately flitted to the revered Naga Sadhus. For those of you who do not know, the Naga Sadhus comprise a powerful sect of ascetics, devotees of Lord Shiva, who wear their unshaved hair in long locks but do not don any clothing. They spend their lives working towards the attainment of moksha – nirvana. However, the men under my observance bore no other similarities to the nagas except the lack of clothing. Nagas cover their bodies with ash and are not seen in the middle of a highway. Nay, these men didn’t look like nagas. They simply looked like two men who seemed upset with some aspect of their life and had decided to protest in this manner. The fact that they exposed the world to obscenities and probably scarred the minds of some little children unfortunate enough to spot them in the process obviously bore no consequence for them.

What their reason was for taking to the roads in such a despicable state is beyond my understanding. I leave it up to you to figure it out, with the hope that they are soon successful in their quest, lest they retake the streets and give unwelcome surprises and unnecessary pause in the lives of hundreds of unsuspecting, unwilling people.

Only In Delhi.