As our ever-growing population, and the increasing number of cases of molestations and rapes, and the shocking number of HIV positive people, and our record in trafficking and child prostitution, and our venerable Khushwant Singh testify, sex is always present in the mind and motivates many of the actions of the average Indian male of any age. Yet, sex is taboo in this land of the Kamasutra, the moral police is everywhere and is made up of the very men who will do anything for a piece of the ‘evil’ and ‘sick’ action, made so as a result of their public prudery and posturing. So millions and millions of Indians indulge in acts that they consider corrupt and degrading, living out snatches of sexual fantasies on the suspecting and unsuspecting. Upamanyu Chatterjee has always asked uncomfortable questions and here is the one he asks time and again – how do we live with ourselves in this country?
May 2006, volume 30, No 5