I've always had the impression that real militants are like cleaning women doing a thankless daily but necessary job.
I was not afraid of the press or the militants. It was uncomfortable but I was not afraid. With respect to the press I knew I knew more than they knew about city matters. With respect to the militants I understood it. I mean everybody believed in those days that they were being screwed you know that somebody was getting ahead of them.
Indians mock their corrupt politicians relentlessly but they regard their honest politicians with silent suspicion. The first thing they do when they hear of a supposedly 'clean' politician is to grin. It is a cliche that honest politicians in India tend to have dishonest sons who collect money from people seeking an audience with Dad.