Common man and woman is afraid. Afraid to speak, afraid to raise their voices against injustice, afraid to question authorities. Why is it so? Has our country suddenly become autocratic? I don't think so. Government is as it always has been. Barely functioning. But the so called fringe elements are becoming louder, bolder and can I add - more cruel. And the government, the police and the judicial system, hardly protect the common man against these fringe elements. OK. Many people are sharing this view. But I was actually surprised to hear Mohandas Pai saying that he is afraid to name those responsible for Monday riots in Bangalore. He is a renowned industrialist, if he is afraid to speak out, what is the status of us - middle class, salaried people. Our rulers want to keep us in fear. So do political parties. Because people who are afraid, are easy to manipulate.