Reading list for East Asian Studies

Reading list for East Asian Studies. Source Online. Forgot the site url.

Japan

M. Hane, Modern Japan: a historical survey
C. D. Totman, Early modern Japan
C. Totman, A history of Japan
A. Iriye, Origins of the Second World War in the Pacific
J. W. Dower, War Without Mercy: Race & Power in the Pacific War
J. McClain, Japan: A Modern History
M. Schaller, Altered States: the US and Japan since the Occupation
J. Hunter, The Emergence of Modern Japan
M. Barnhart, Japan and the World Since 1868

China

S. Adshead, China in World History
K. Ch'en, Buddhism in China: A Historical Survey
V. Hansen, The Open Empire: A History of China to 1600
Rana Mitter, China's Bitter Revolution
J. Spence, The search for Modern China
M. Nylan, The Five "Confucian" Classics
I. Robinet, Taoism: Growth of a Religion.
P. Ebrey, The Cambridge Illustrated History of China
E. Zürcher, The Buddhist Conquest of China: The Spread and Adaptation of Buddhism in Early Medieval China. 2 vols.

East Asia in general

G. Barnes, China, Korea and Japan: the Rise of Civilization in East Asia
John Lewis Gaddis, The Cold War: a new history
C. Holcombe, The Genesis of East Asia, 221 B.C.  - A.D. 907
Peter Katzenstein, A World of Regions. Asia and Europe in the American Imperium
J. Thomson, P. Stanley and J. Perry, Sentimental Imperialists. The American Experience in East Asia
S. Adshead, T’ang China: the Rise of the East in World History

Korea

B. Cumings, Korea’s Place in the Sun: a modern history
Kim Chun-kil, History of  Korea
K. Pratt, Everlasting flower: a history of Korea
R. Foot, The Wrong War:  American Policy and the Dimensions of the Korean Conflict, 1950-53
Ki-baik Lee, A new history of Korea
W. Stueck, The Korean War in world history

Background Reading

In addition you are strongly advised to read at least two or three of the following:
Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji (Penguin)
Paine, R.T. and Soper, A., The Art and Architecture of Japan (Penguin)
Sugimoto, Y., An Introduction to Japanese Society (Cambridge University Press) or
Curtis, G., The Japanese Way of Politics (Columbia University)
Stockwin, J.A.A., Governing Japan (Blackwell) or
Pempel, T., Regime Shift: Comparative Dynamics of the Japanese Political Economy(Cornell University Press)
Bowring, R. & Kornicki, P. (eds.), The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Japan (Cambridge University Press)
Goossen, T.W. (ed.), The Oxford Book of Japanese Short Stories (Oxford University Press)

Some recommended online academic sources : Japan Focus and the Electronic
Journal of Contemporary Japanese Studies

Modern Fiction

A selection of recommended modern fiction
Natsume Soseki, Kokoro and Sanshiro
Tanizaki Jun'ichiro, Some Prefer Nettles
Kawabata Yasunari, Snow Country
Mishima Yukio, Confessions of a Mask
Enchi Fumiko, The Waiting Years
Oe Kenzaburo, Teach Us to Outgrow Our Madness
Tsushima Yuko, Child of Fortune

On Smriti Irani's Education

The recent conversation on Minister of HRD, Smriti Irani's educational qualification sparked by Congress leader's assertion that she is not even a 12th pass to handle such a ministry and the continuous harping of few political leaders to keep this issue alive so that they can embarrass BJP in general and the HRD minister in particular proves one point that either the political intellectuals have not yet understood, what education means or they deliberately perpetuate this controversy to score some points. 

This degeneration of thought that to call oneself as educated it is essential to possess a degree from a university is worrying. And then comes the distinction between the regular universities and distance or open university education. As far as I have observed the slur that was thrown at Minister Irani was not only on
whether she has a degree or not but also on that she merely attended distance education\open university. My personal stand on the real education is here which I have scribbled few years ago.

To start this philosophically I shall quote Sri Sathya SaiBaba who went one step ahead of common nomenclature on education and called it as educare that nurtures character along with worldly knowledge. Someone with mere university degree and no culture cannot call himself as educated in its truest sense. If people want degrees they should read William sapphire, Paramacharya of Kanchi who never went to university and Karunanidhi the topics which he has written are researched in top universities of the world, people write dissertations on the literature he produced. And most of the political philosophers of Ancient India and so many great political philosophers of medieval Europe never went to universities to earn a degree to fill one's stomach or to acquire leadership skills. So this myth of the requirement of a university degree to call someone educated is busted with out much pain.

And on the question of degrees from open universities or through distance education, there are umpteen number of best minds globally who are qualified through online education, distance education or open university. There are great professors who have studied in open university of UK and also other universities through distance education.

Few years ago when IIT Madras was celebrating its 50 years, there was an open session in all departments ie., all departments were open to public and there were few lectures organized for those who are outside of IIT. Enthusiastically I too have peeped in and I cannot recall the name of that teacher who was giving a lecture on open & E-learning who had a doctorate in chemistry from university of Madras and was asking few general questions to the students who came from Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh and for most of those questions I rose and answered, one of them included, do you know how much US is spending to bail out the large banks of US? It was 2008 I think during that financial crisis. Audience in that hall, it seems have thought I am someone greatly educated or doctorate or something like that because some have asked such questions after the session. No, I have a degree from a university through distance education, I said. They were not ready to believe it. I thought they were unnecessarily exaggerating. The major part of that lecture included on open learning where the teacher was highlighting exactly what I have been thinking on education, ie., it is not about certificates but what you know. Also he talked about NPTEL a project by all IIT's to popularize self learning.

Now going back to our original discussion, people who call Smriti less educated because she either has no degree or has a degree from school of open learning are the ones with no idea on what education is all about. Before ending I shall quote the British politician Michael Foot who said "Men of power have not time to read; yet the men who do not read are unfit for power". If someone has the ability and interest to READ then implement\apply based on what was read then he/she is fit for power. In that sense Irani fits the bill and her response was scholarly, ie., she should be judged by her work, which is beyond the mental faculties of Congress propagandists to understand.

Why Muslims complain on laws of constitutional democracies?

Have you seen this situation? Whenever a Muslim is acquitted from a terror attack for which he/she was accused, you should see the Jubliant mood of propagandists, well yes, they are within their right to do so in a liberal democracy as they are not living in Saudi Arabia. Now they start spinning theories like police biasedness and say that Indian Law is shit etc., which may be true in certain cases.

But what you do not hear from them is the answers to some of the questions mentioned below:

1. In all the terror attacks at least since Political Independence ( we shall take it since indepedence for the sake of simplicity) do they care to tell us why majority of muslims are convicted?
2. Who is Afzal Guru, Kasab and Tiger memon, Dawood and other shit holes?
3. Who are those who travelled to Iraq all the way from TamilNadu to join ISIS?

Standard Response : "They are not Muslims". Well, we believe you !

But there is a method in the madness.

Their is a concept called as sacred deceit (Taqiyya)which is essentially a part of sharia and Islamic Jurisprudence, Which says when your brothers (Muslims) are in danger practice this deceit to fool the kafir ie., the non-believer.

Though Indian liberal laws are imperfect it is only because of fairness and adherence to the principles of nautral justice Muslims are acquitted when they are found not guilty. As such there is no distinction on the application of laws based on religion in liberal constitutional democracies unlike an Islamic Country.

In Darul-Islam ie., a Muslim majority state the evidence of a Kafir is not considered as evidence and evidence of Muslim woman is only taken as half evidence, this is Islamic sharia law.

Muslims who say that they don't believe in Sharia or some crazy things which Hadith preaches are either not a Muslim as per Islamic Jurisprudence or they are willfully following Taqiyya ie., sacret deceit to fool the kafir. 

It is important that all the kafirs know about this.

Questions posed to Dr. Richard Bloom - Terrorism Expert in Washington Post Q & A Session

In Washington Post there was a live Q & A session open for its readers in July 2011 where I have participated and asked more than couple questions to Dr. Richard Bloom (Terrorism Expert) . Thought I can record that here. Earlier I shared it on my Facebook time line .

ABOUT THE TOPIC
According to U.S. officials, al-Qaeda could be on the brink of collapse. Terrorism expert Richard Bloom answered your questions about the current state and future of al-Qaeda, as well as other terrorism organizations around the world.

MY QUESTION :
FUNDING
In the wake of binladen's absence and Zawihiri assuming the new role it apparently appears to a normal man like me that the business as-usual is not affected at all. For any such terror network to sustain the money is instrumental and it is understood that funds are flowing unaffected. What are the effective steps you still think the global power like US should take to make jihadis suffocate financially.

DR BLOOM’S ANSWER :
Unfortunately, financial suffocation is extremely unlikely. This has to do with the small amount of financial resources needed for successful terrorism and the limited even if increasingly sophisticated methods to identify financial sources and processes.

MY QUESTION :
PAKISTAN'S SANCTUARIES
It is an open secret that pakistan has the safest sanctuaries on the earth for the aspiring and residual Jihadis, as we know binladen could live safely for many years under the shelter of pakistani army/ISI. Is it not the right time to label ISI as a terrorist organization ? As we know the civilian government is simply a puppet.

DR BLOOM’S ANSWER :
Formally labeling ISI as terrorist may feel good and be accurate at last referring to one of its capabilities and to its history, but positive consequences for the U.S. would be unlikely.

MY QUESTION :
LADEN - GODLY FIGURE ?
What should the international community be doing to avoid the situation where laden is considered as a godly figure in many muslim countries. How should we educate them that he is not the saviour of islam but a mass murderer.

DR. RICHARD BLOOM :
A very good question. I believe he's a "godly" figure among fewer and fewer people. However, his history and image can be used for various terrorist pursuits. I do not think its prudent to use significant resources in an image-changing effort. I think more and more people are already buying into the mass murderer aspect. In turn, this does not mitigate the continuing threat from terrorism.

MY QUESTION :
TOP BRASS
As we know Alqueda is formation of the core group of some 30 members. Considering that US is successfull to kill or capture them dont you think that there is still a possibility of an important affiliate (like LET) succeeding that position ?

DR. RICHARD BLOOM :
We need to be careful not to be constrained by the usual ways of thinking about organizations when confronting terrorism. Whether so-called affiliates arise or not, terrorist ways of thinking, relevant technologies and inenuity in using technologies, and the increase and decrease in terrorist intent among various people will continue. Virtual terrorists joing others anonymously are one sort of increasing threat for the future.

There was another question asked by other participant based on my earlier question (Laden – Godly figure GODLY FIGURE)
Question - Regarding an earlier question about Bin Laden being seen as a godly figure by some. Isn't part of that due to the way the US picks just one guy to represent so much that we end up making person more than he really is? Seems with did with leader of Al Quida in Iraq also.

DR. RICHARD BLOOM :
The use of public communications and language and images to help create the "image of the other" can work both ways....to strengthen or weaken a terrorist threat. I beleive that the bin Laden image/figure constructed by US political leaders has not helped the counterterrorist effort. The coherent and systematic effort to use public communications against terrorism has been a significant US failure.

My Question :
ALQAEDA IN AP - AQAP
Awlaki has indeed been a night mare to US for quite some time. As he remains to be a very good preacher and has a good following in the internet space. How close is US in getting him.

DR. RICHARD BLOOM :
Based on my own analysis of public sources, there have been near misses and I believe significant efforts continue to be made to "neutralize" him either through killing or capture. On the other hand, public discsussions and images of this individual conveyed by some US political leaders have not helped the effort.

My Question :
SAFE HAVENS
The visible safe havens we know is somalia,pakistan,yemen,Afghanistan etc. Apart from these do you think there are any other sleeper cells which missed the US radar.

DR. RICHARD BLOOM :
I believe it is more useful to think not in terms of "sleeper cells" but in terms of geographically dispersed and online threats beyond the locations you mention. Given that there are psychological bases to terrorism, these psychologies may be anywhwre at any time--a difficult reality for counterterrorists.

MY QUESTION:
MILITARY AID
Do you think there is a co-relation (either positive or negative) between military funding to selective countries and decrease/increase in terrorism?

DR. RICHARD BLOOM :
I'm sure one could demonstrate some correlations both decreasing and increasing terrorism. Military funding is one of many foreign policy and national security tools...there are lessons learned of cases furthering and harming U.S. interest

The Caste Question: Answering it as a student

It was just another day in a small hotel nearby Law College which functions as a canteen of the college itself. I was already getting late and was rushing with my lunch. Since this is the final semester and it is time for Internal Moot court sessions, students all the while are discussing about it. And I was explaining my friend Raghu on how to prepare the memorials for moot, he was not happy with the problem he was given, after expressing his displeasure on the problem he left and I continued with my lunch.

Throughout the conversation there was an old man who appeared to be in his mid sixties was keenly observing us, who was seated in front of me also was having lunch.

Old Man: Advocate, sir

Me: Who, are you talking to me?

Old Man: Yes, sir.

Me: I am not an advocate.

Old Man: I am very impressed by your explanation to your class mate.

Me: I was just telling what I knew.

Old Man: I have a question for you.

Me: Ok, what is that?

Old Man: When our constitution says there is no caste and other discrimination why it still exists? Why are we asked to fill our caste etc., when we fill any government forms? 

That was a good poser. This was also the subject ie., Art:14 (Equality before law) and Art:38 (State to ensure social justice) and Art:15(Special Provisions) of Indian constitution on which I had to argue that afternoon right after lunch. I was given a case and I had to argue on all these points in the internal moot court competition.

That case was on Land acquisition. Govt acquires a shelter home and wantonly leaves out a property of a politician’s house which is adjacent to that shelter home, ie., the politician gets away with the process because of his influence in the govt. I had to argue for shelter home as a counsel for petitioner and seek the quashing of acquisition process as the whole process is not bonafide. And I was thoroughly prepared and ready for the argument. This question from the old man was a calling for practice.

Me: No, sir. It is not like that. What you are saying is only partially correct. Govt. wants to know which social group you belong to, if you are from certain community you might need to be given the reservation and other perks etc., and we should not make a rigid interpretation of Art:14 – Equality before law. 

 

And I further told him that if he really wants to abolish all that and bring about equality he should stop accepting the benefits if he was receiving already in the name of reservation. And stop voting to the parties which base their politics on caste, religion and reservation politics. What I have understood is that his target was primarily the caste than religion. And I also told him as per the provisions of Art: 15, the state can make reasonable classifications for the benefit of Women,children and sc/st etcf., that does not infringe Art:14 at all, because he was quoted Art:14 more than once.

 He also cited that Ambedkar only wanted this for 10 years but it continues till date. I was really excited and positive to see his reach of the knowledge. He further continued with his cynicism, i.e., he wants a revolution to happen which could settle the balance and make things even. I was already getting late for the class. I just laughed at him and walked away by saying good bye.

By the time he used the word “Puratchi” (Revolution) in his conversation for more than couple of times, I have understood that I was talking to a communist so far.  This is the problem with communists; they have severely abused the word “Revolution” and have committed genocides time and again in its name. But when it comes to the practice of democracy, for them it is a long shot.

I pondered over as I was walking towards my class, what makes caste so persistent that it cannot be wished away from our society.  There are two groups which are responsible for this perpetuation, the group which works to eradicate this distinction from our society and the other group is the one which wants it to remain to run their business, the reason for its existence could be that the former group is not working hard or the later group is working so hard to keep it alive, in addition to these two there is another actor ie., the Indian voter. Only if voter recognizes the fact that if he continues to vote on caste preferences then there will be no change in the status quo. He must start demanding answers from the ruling clique on its duties and performance lapses, only then things will change.

When I was caught for violating the law

It all happened in Chennai Beach Railway station. After a hectic day which included an interesting court visit, this is part of law degree which is akin to engineering students going to industry visit, walked in to the station bought a ticket for Chennai Avadi station from Beach. It was 4.pm by then. After indulging myself for more than half an hour on twitter through my mobile phone I casually enquired a bystander about the timing of next train to Avadi, who said it is at 5.20 PM. I then realized that I should have taken a bus and must have enquired about the timing of next train before buying the ticket. Task at hand was to thrash the next one hour somehow, twitter wasn’t encouraging. Suddenly I saw a bunch of, say 10 Aam Admi party activists alighting from a train, I think they were planning for some road show or were trying to create some scene and looking for some opportunity. I thought there was no better way to kill that one hour other than engaging in a conversion with them. Before I could approach (I was on a phone call when they were nearby) them they have moved swiftly to the other end of platform. And I had no interest to pursue them anyway.

I thought that wasting an hour sitting in a railway station is useless and unproductive and I was already tired and decided to go by bus. On my way back to out of Railway Station while crossing railway tracks I phoned up a friend and was talking. And the moment I was walking up the ramp one fat guy stood in front of me, he is RPF (Railway Police Force) Constable. I ignored him and continued talking. Later I have abruptly disconnected the phone call to talk to him and I thought that now I have a good chance of whiling away that one hour.

Following was the conversation

Constable: Sir where are you going?

Me: Home

Constable: Ticket

Me: Here it is

I knew by that time that he is an RPF constable and his job is not to check the tickets, he was still starring at my ticket, it appeared to me that he just did not know how to read a ticket.

Me: what are you looking at for a long time sire? This is the ticket to Avadi and I decided to go by bus because the next train is only at 5.30 PM

Constable: Have you not seen the sign board which says not to use cell phones while crossing?

I turned around to see the sign board and I could not infer a thing from that, but decided not to argue with him and by now I know the offence I have committed.

Me: Give me the ticket

Constable: No, come to office

Me: Don’t book somebody because he looks like a fool, (that was with sarcasm)

Constable: I have never said something like that.

He might have noticed my uniform(white shirt and black pant, law student/advocate attire) since beginning and was in a dilemma on what to do with me.

Constable: Are you an advocate?

Me: No, final year student.

Constable: Come to office.

If I would have lied that I was an advocate I think he must have let me go, but then I did not. I just did not know what to do, but something had to be done. I suddenly erupted,

Me: Selective application of law is no law.

Constable: Oh! My god. Sire, please come and say all this in office room. Everything is captured in video camera

Now that I have realized that I have to go to office room, I just followed him. And I was constantly thinking/planning how I should get myself out of this. Now we have reached the office room and to my surprise there are around 25 to 30 people just like me, all of them brought there for some petty offenses/reasons, there was a set up like a room which was created with the help of barricades and inside that long benches and chairs were arranged. The other guys were welcoming me, one guy said, come sire what did you do? Just like in movies we see in a jail cell if a new inmate arrives the guy who is already there in that cell will ask a similar question. I have asked myself, what the hell of a mistake I did. And decided that if I am made to pay the fine, they are not going to get it easily.

The process is after they have gathered certain number of people they will all be taken together to the nearby Mobile court where the judge will decide the fine amount. I have walked to the Writer and asked is there a way out and what is all this? How long will it take because I am about to miss my 5.20 PM train.

Now the writer was taking the details from me Name, address, age, father’s name etc., concurrently he filled out a sheet with my details and asked me to sign. 

Me: On what charge you are booking me?

The moment I asked that question there was a silence, for a moment he just did not respond, then reacted.

Writer: I am helping you, by saying in this complaint that you were in ladies compartment for 10 minutes, because that will cost you only 200 hundred rupees, otherwise for phone it will be 500 and for speaking it will be another 500.

By then I knew he was surely bluffing. I repeated.

Me: Thank you sire, but on what charge ie., which section and on which act you are booking me?

He pointed me to the sheet he was filling out and said, Raiway act sire and this is the section. I wasn’t sure but it looked like 165, but decided that when I go to the court I will ask the judge. And then I have signed the paper, two signatures. 

Now I am back to the place where I was earlier asked to wait ie., in the midst of guys all of them are of same age group, we were just cracking jokes and were laughing, that was a great time indeed.

Simultaneously I have been thinking about nailing these people who booked me. That is exactly why I have agreed to be booked for a wrong reason and signed the papers not because I will save some money. And I have now laid out the scheme of things to be executed once I go to court. These were some questions I have prepared in my mind to ask the judge.

Here’s how the conversation would have been in my opinion.

1.    Me: Before you confirm the fine, what evidence are you going to rely up on? Is oral evidence of Police is final?

I did do some casual reading of Indian Evidence Act and I know that the evidence of police is bad evidence and it will not be given a priority.

2.    Judge: No we shall have a video footage.

3.    Me: I will challenge the RPF to prove it.

I know very well that they could not produce it, now they are literally locked out and I would further allege that they have asked me pay some money as bribe and booked for an alternate offence where I could be charged with lesser fine. They will be literally screwed.

4.    Judge: Then why have you signed the sheet agreeing the charges?

5.    Me: I was induced first and then threatened by the police to do so.

And I know very well when it to comes signing the declaration in police custody i.e. RPF in this case by accepting a charge can be related to confession in Evidence act, which cannot be held valid even though I have signed it, if it is alleged that it was acquired through undue influence. So that argument of ‘I have signed and accepted the charge” will not stand. And the judge would have literally thrashed the police, and subsequently let me go or ask me to pay for the original offense that is for the phone, for which I was already prepared.

But all this would have happened only if they have taken me to the court, unfortunately they have decided not to do so. Here is why I think it is.

When the writer asked me to wait with others and in a moment we all shall be taken to court, after sitting for a while I have gone back to the writer now with a notepad and pen.

Me: Sire, what is your name?

There was a complete silence, he did not respond for a moment, then said

Writer: Why are you asking my name?

Me: There is no reason, just wanted to make a note of it.

Though I have said that there is no reason, I have actually planned to ruin their careers.

Writer: No, take the names of Sub-Inspector, Inspector and others. Please go and talk to them.

Me: what is problem with telling your name and designation?

Writer: No, please go and talk to the Sub Inspector (SI)

Now I am inside the cabin of SI, where the other guy explained him what my offense was and he also said I was also asking for names.

Then he starred at me. I thought now it is my turn to talk. And I thundered with my favorite quote and concept which I have read it in some journal but I could not recall which journal it was.

Me: Sire, Selective application of law is no law and the law enforcement authorities who apply the law for their convenience are not law enforcement authorities in its true sense.

Now he gave me a confused look, and said sire please take your chair, I said it is ok, after a pause he replied

SI: Why do you want names?

Me: Sire, I am a very poor man and you are a police officer, why are you worried to give your names and designation? What do you think I am going to do? I could do nothing.

SI: Ok, here they are.

I have noted all their names SI, Inspector, Constable etc. After that I have just walked out and gone to the bench where I was sitting  It was full of fun there, guys were just making a lot of fun, one guy asked me sire, what they were saying? I replied no, nothing I have just collected their names. Did you watch some Tamil movie this morning and is that the reason why you are doing all these, i.e., collecting their names? He was trying to make a joke out of it.

From the moment I was out of SI cabin, there was a complete commotion inside; they were brainstorming on what to do with me and how to proceed further. And they appeared worried that I am going to do something with their names. Suddenly, the writer rushed out to me and said 

Writer: Sire, SI asked me to fill out another form for the original offence ie., for that phone thing.

Me: Ok, no problem.

Then he quickly filled out and asked me to sign.

Me: Hand me over the sheet which I have earlier signed, only then I will sign this.

He again started scratching his forehead and rushed inside the SI room. After sometime inspector came out to take me to another senior officer who is in the first floor, this guy seemed to be the complete in charge. SI, Constable and the inspector all are present there to complain about me and inspector has explained what I have done, ie., was on phone while crossing the track inside the railway station. In-charge/Senior officer/Head looked at me and nodded, is it not an offence?  Before I could reply SI intervened, Sire, on top of it he (me) is asking for all our names too.

Then once again I have gently said, this time to the in charge, “Sire, Selective application of law is no law and the law enforcement authorities who apply the law for their convenience are not law enforcement authorities in its true sense”

In-Charge: Are you an advocate?

Me: No, not yet. Few months away from my Law degree.

In-Charge: Ok, waiting for exams?

Me: Yes.

In-Charge: They have done their duty.

He said this looking at the police personnel.

Me: I completely agree, and there is no dispute on that.

SI Intervened again, Sir he is collecting our names too.

I interrupted the SI and said, Sire, India is a democratic country and here I thought it is within my rights to know who is charging me, and there is nothing more to it. The law enforcement authorities have a wide range of discretion when it comes to enforcing the law. They should judiciously apply it and discriminate between a serious and less serious offence though the statutes are not asking them to do. If I have grievously hurt somebody on railway premises for which you have jurisdiction, you should show no leniency, but see what I have done? I was on phone is that so serious? Then he In-Charge said many people were killed because they were carelessly on phone while crossing. I have just said, point taken. He added that it is only for my benefit he saying this, I just nodded. SI asked the In-Charge, can we let him go? In-Charge replied, yes please. In-charge stood up and shook hands with me and said good luck for everything and take care. And then I have walked out.

But to let you know the reason for collecting their names is to accuse them of demanding the bribe which is violation of Prevention of Corruption act Sec: 7. so those who booked me for an offence which is different from what I have actually committed would have been in deep trouble. And there is a high probability that my case will stand. Though I could not accuse the judge as per the sec: 77 of IPC, i.e., Act of judge when acting judicially, but the Inspector, Constable and the SI could very well be pinned, that was an easy task. So they have narrowly saved themselves by just letting me go.

Moral of the story (of this incident) goes something like this. In my opinion Law is nothing but a set of processes and rules which the enforcement authorities are obliged to follow when enforcing the law, if they miss even one rule for which there is no judicial sanction and apply it selectively for their own convenience they can be held accountable. So the job of a learned man is to pick up those rules which the enforcement authority has missed or failed to comply with, whether he did it willfully or not it hardly matters. Somehow I had my way this time.

Once I reached home I was scanning through the Railways act Sec.165 on which I was booked originally but it was only about bringing the offensive goods not about getting in to a ladies compartment. Now I know why police goofs up most of the time when it comes to application of law.