Storm clouds brewing?

In typical Indian fashion, the verdict arrived late and less than satisfactory. Instead of the 3:30 PM announcement, it was well past 4:00. And nobody seemed particularly pleased.

In order to appease the greatest number of people, the Uttar Pradesh High Court made a decision no litigant asked for. The disputed land - all 2.7 acres of it - should be split 3 ways. The Hindu temple is to remain where it is, a third of the site should go to rebuild the destroyed mosque, and the last third goes to Ram Lalla - the Hindu gentleman who wanted to pray on the site.

So, Muslims get one third of the site, and Hindus get two thirds.

Of course, what I have heard so far seems to say that the court was long on "let's not anger anybody", and short on points of law.

Now I don't pretend to understand the mystical and exotic location that is India. But I do think that perhaps, just perhaps, the High Court tried so hard to not upset anyone, that they instead upset everyone. So far there have been no reports of violence, but night has not yet fallen. Politicians are making a big deal of trying to calm everybody, but I wonder if some political parties, especially those who are THIS CLOSE to being in power, might not exploit this as a religious insult, perhaps organizing riots, or illegal protests.

I am too young to remember the riots in Watts, Newark, and Chicago in the late 1960's. I do remember the LA Riots after the Rodney King verdict, though. What they seem to have in common with the current atmosphere is that the judgment was seen as unfair by normal citizens. Justice delayed is justice denied.

Now, the reason for the title "Storm clouds brewing?" doesn't have anything to do with the case. Literally there is a storm stirring, or at least that is what it feels and looks like. In Bangalore, the monsoon rains may be what keeps everything quiet - I mean, I don't want to walk in the rain, let alone riot, and I figure burning cars would be darn near impossible with the rains we get here.

I'll keep you'all posted.