Edgar Degas Ballet Rehearsal painting

They had met, Salahuddin now gathered, to discuss their part in a remarkable political demonstration: the formation of a human chain, stretching from the Gateway of India to the outermost northern suburbs of the city, in support of "national integration". The Communist Party of India (Marxist) had recently organized just such a human chain in Kerala, with great success. "But," George Miranda argued, "here in Bombay it will be totally another matter. In Kerala the C P(M) is in power. Here, with these Shiv Sena bastards in control, we can expect every type of harassment, from police obstructionism to outand--out assaults by mobs on segments of the chain -- especially when it passes, as it will have to, through the Sena's fortresses, in Mazagaon, etc." In spite of these dangers, Zeeny explained to Salahuddin, such public demonstrations were essential. As communal violence escalated -- and Meerut was only the latest in a long line of murderous incidents -- it was imperative that the forces