“I don’t have that fear at all. Even so, it is clear that they are determined to cut down the tree because they believe that will ruin us. So I think we should take that challenge head-on. Their plan should not succeed. It’s another matter entirely what we lose if the tree is indeed cut down.”

Dhamu and a few bigwigs in his ward drafted a detailed formal statement, obtained the signatures of hundreds of prominent residents of the ward, and submitted it to the municipal chairman. Dhamu organized a procession, with him in the lead, to carry that statement to the municipal office. Everyone could see Kambaramayanam Ananthan Pillai walking out in front of the crowd with a garland around his neck.

At the municipal office, a huge argument broke out between him and Chairman M. C. Joseph. Dhamu took the chairman’s stubbornness about cutting down the tree as a clear sign that the man was indeed at the helm of a conspiracy against him.

“I cannot even begin to explain to you how the Hindus feel about this,” said Dhamu. “The tree should not be cut down.”

The chairman said: “I admit that I know nothing about the Hindus’ particular sentiments about the tree. But at the same time, let me point out to you that this resolution was passed by a council that is majority Hindu.”

“Who is a Hindu?” asked Ananthan Pillai. “Those who are born Hindu or those who protect Hindu dharma? Do you realize that Hinduism is a way of life? It’s not like Christianity . . . ,” he said, raising his voice.

But Chairman M. C. Joseph cut him off. “Excuse me. I am not the right person to get into a debate with about religion. I am nothing but a mere head of an ordinary institution.”

“But there are mercenaries in all religions. I hope you know that,” said Dhamu.

“That’s disgraceful, to refer to municipal employees as mercenaries,” said M. C. Joseph.

“How could people who have no standards be disgraced? Show me a law in this country that says that when a man who is involved in illegal trading comes up with a plan to destroy an independent merchant and he’s found a corrupt journalist to endorse it, the municipality is duty-bound to see that plan to its conclusion!”

“You may leave now,” said M. C. Joseph, and he pressed the bell on his desk. A peon held the door open and stood looking at Dhamu and Ananthan Pillai.

“So I take it that you have no intention to honor our feelings. Am I right?”

“A democratic institution can only honor the feelings of the majority. It’s one of the great paradoxes that even people who have no faith in democracy will run for election in our country,” said the chairman.

Dhamu and Ananthan Pillai left.

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