The violation of peace and order must be seen as a law and order problem and should necessarily be dealt with accordingly. To assume that the very existence of an organisation is against public interest is like saying that only ’meaningful and productive’ talk is allowed and one should remain gagged till the time he or she comes up with something that makes sense. It’s after lots of nonsensical thoughts and words back and forth that something seminal emerges. To muffle the stupid is to kill the genius.

Therefore, banning an organisation – be it Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) or the Bajrang Dal (BD) – is a completely undemocratic exercise. And irrespective of the justification tendered, such bans gnaw at the very foundation of the democratic structures across the world. After all, as Martin Luther puts it, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Let’s not do a disservice to the plurality of opinion innate in the very concept of democracy. In the long run, tolerance to unpalatable opinions would pay well.