The Union home minister is quite clear about whom to blame for what are being called riots that took place in northeastern Delhi. In the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah referred to 300 persons who had poured in from Uttar Pradesh and the incitement through speeches — presumably some by top Congress leaders — that had followed, emphasizing that the riots were a ‘pre-planned conspiracy’ for which money had come from foreign sources. Three people had been arrested for the last with the Islamic State receiving a glancing reference in this context. Now that the villains had been theoretically identified, Mr Shah ignored the fact that he had initially called the riots ‘spontaneous’. That was a small matter. As were video clips showing the Delhi police standing by during the violence, or participating in it, or beating up bleeding young men and making them sing the national anthem. The police have been wonderful, to summarize Mr Shah’s remarks, they were the heroes who took charge and ensured that the riots did not spread. Besides, Mr Shah is confident of his facial identification software, which will bring the culprits, irrespective of faith, caste or political party, to book. The home minister recited the number of arrests, first information reports and CCTV clips; he has also asked the Delhi High Court to form a claims commission. Damages will be realized from rioters identified by technology. Evidently the Centre approves of the Uttar Pradesh way. The facial recognition software has so far not identified any policeman. Undoubted heroes.

From his piously high moral ground, Mr Shah refused to recognize any distinction between religions, saying that 52 Indians had been killed –— what would a religion-based count have shown? –— and more than 500 Indians injured. He did not quite understand how speeches made 30 days previously — presumably by leaders of his party — could be blamed for incitement while speeches made by Congress leaders a few days before the riots — exhorting party workers to fight for the Constitution — were being overlooked. “Goli maaro”-style speeches, therefore, needed no discussion. Questions regarding the stalling of ambulances during the violence, the police smashing CCTV cameras and their refusal to respond to a Shiromani Akali Dal member of parliament’s call to rescue 16 trapped people needed no answers either. The home minister has given the official narrative. Now everything will fall into place.