Chapter 2-1

A little over seven years ago

Clash of the Titans, debate finals

Rendezvous Fest, IIT Delhi

October 2010

She stood on the left podium. Her upright posture made her look taller than her five feet three inches. She wore a white salwar kameez, and a fuchsia dupatta with silver piping. I should have focused on her debating skills rather than her attire. However, even her debate opponent paused for a few seconds to make in Zara's stunning, model - like looks.

The Seminar Hall stage had a banner with the debate topic: Should public display of religion be banned?

Zara Lone was debating against Inder Das, the reigning champion from Hindu College. Both had reached the finals of Clash of the Titans.

The packed hall was waiting for the duo to make their final rebuttals.

Inder, with his looks kurta, curly hair and rimless glasses, looked like he had walked out of a Bengali art film, one of those where everyone waits for five seconds before the next dialogue.

'Last I heard, we are a free country,' Inder said. 'Our Preamble uses the word "secular". The state will not discriminate or meddle in the profession of any religion. Article 25 through to 28 in our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.'

Damn, people know the articles of the Constitution? I didn't even know the Constitution had something called articles. I had no view on either side of the debate. I only wanted Zara to win. I wanted to see her smile.

Zara raised her hand to object. However, she had to wait her turn as Inder wouldn't stop.

'Article 25 says, and I quote,' Inder said and paused, fumbling through his notes.

When people say 'I quote' and pause, they come across as scary - level intellectuals . Let's face it, nobody wants to mess with the 'I quote' types.

Inder spoke again, or rather quoted.

'All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise, and propagation religion.' He paused again for us to digest that. 'Miss Zara Lone, you are arguing not only against our culture, but also against the Constitution. You not only want to take away our Diwali celebrations, you want to break the law, too.'

He finished his speech and tossed his notes aside in disgust; I could smell his pomposity from where I sat. Inder shook his head, as if to say, Why are we even debating this?

The crowd broke into applause. I had a sinking feeling. Would Zara lose?

All eyes turned to Zara. She waited for the applause to die down before she spoke.

'My opponent seems to have a good knowledge of the Constitution. I compliment him for that,' Zara said. Inder smiled.

'However, ladies and gentlemen, we are here to discuss the right thing to do, not just quote Construction clauses we can Google in two seconds.'

The audience sat up straight. This petite fireball was not going to give up so easily.

She continued, 'The Constitutional is the foundation of our republic, but it can be changed. Have we not made Constitution amendments?'

Zero decibel silence in the hall.

'So the issue here is not what is written, but what needs to be written,' she said.

'Yes, superb! Shabash,' I blurted out alone. My voice echoed in the silent hall. Damn, I had thought more people would applaud. The entire audience, including Zara Lone, looked at me.

'Thank you.' She smiled at me.'But save it for later.'

The five hundred - odd audience burst into laughter. The serious vibe thawed a little, even as I went stiff. I wanted a power cut, absolute darkness and complete invisibility so I could run out of the hall. Zara went back to her argument.

'My friend only quoted Article 25 partially. Article 25 does say that all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise, and propagation religion, but it also says, "subject to public order, morality and healthy". How did my esteemed opponent miss out on that?'

'So, if it bothers others', Inder said, interrupting Zara, 'as a Muslim, would you stop the azaan from being called on loudspeakers five times a day?'

'Yes, I would'.

The audience let out a collective gasp. A Muslim girl saying this on stage had everyone's attention. Unfazed, Zara continued. 'You can still pray five times a day. Maybe have an app to remind you on your phone. Listen to the prayers on headphones. But don't impose them on the whole neighborhood. And I would appreciate it if you didn't say things like "as a Muslim". I am not here as a Muslim, I am here as a finalist in the Clash of the Titans debate competition'.

The applause was deafening. A few minutes later, one of the faculty members from the judging panel went up to the podium to announce the results.

'The debates were excellent today. However, to argue for restricting displays of religion is difficult all over the world, let alone India. You had the harder side, Miss Zara, and you defended it with logic and poise. Hence, the winner for this year is Miss Zara Lone.'

A standing ovation followed. Zara came to accept the trophy. I clapped like a maniac. A fellow hostel - mate egged me to whistle. Did I tell you I had the loudest whistle in IIT Delhi? I put my right thumb to my index finger in an 'O' shape and brought it to my mouth.

Tweeeet! My whistle, loud and shrill, suited a football stadium More than a debating contest. Many intellectual types turned to me again, wondering why such a crass person has been allowed in here.

My whistle cought Zara's attention. She looked at me, trophy in hand, and smiled. I pulled out my fingers from my mouth.

'Dude, easy. She is your girlfriend or what?' a guy next to me said

No, she isn't, but she will be, I wanted to say. After all, the universe had already decided it.

I stepped out of the hall and walked towards the food stalls.

'Thanks for the cheering.' I froze on hearing her voice.

'Zara?' I said, turning around.

'Yeah. Nice college. Are you from here?'

'Delhi College of Engineering. Missed IIT by a few marks. Not smart enough.'

'You demolished him in there. You are definitely smarter than me.'

We walked out on to the main road, which was down with food kiosks due to the festival.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***