Both Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are facing serious charges of divisive speeches, inciting violence, and engaging in anti-national conspiracies. The courts are examining the evidence and following due process. But this is unacceptable to the left-liberal cabal.
The desire for asymmetrical treatment though sits uneasily with their desire to speak for the subaltern, is not external to intellectual labour but is deeply embedded in it.
With BJP ditching its former alliance partner Shiv Sena to join hands with a faction from former Congress ally NCP, the meltdown of the ecosystem has already begun.