Beyond the Uniform (740 words)

Mohan was driving his jeep towards the main bazaar. He was in his starched Khaki uniform with its colourful stripes. His wide leather belt carried the holster for the pistol. His cap, a neat combination of black and white, sat trim on his head. It was evening around 5 pm.

 He saw a crowd in the middle of the road with the people on the periphery craning their necks to catch a glimpse of what was happening. The air buzzed with shouts. “Kill her!” “Strip her!” “A child kidnapper” “Break her hands!” It was an unruly scene, with the mob acting on mindless rage.

When the crowd heard the shrill horn of the jeep and saw his khaki uniform, it parted and gave way. Some bystanders, sensing authority, started to disperse silently and some stood still to witness what was likely to unfold. 

Mohan saw a woman in her mid-thirties beaten blue with bruises on her eyes, lips and cheeks. Blood was oozing out. Her clothes were torn and her upper garments were stripped away save the torn blouse to cover her modesty. Even the sari had been pulled away and she was in her petticoat. It was a distressing sight with the mob driven by mad fury based only on hearsay.

 Even as Mohan stopped the jeep, some men came near the jeep on their own and started telling him “Sir, this woman is a witch and possibly a child abductor. She stole a packet of bread from the opposite shop. We were just teaching a lesson she wouldn't forget in her life. Luckily you have come in time, Sir.”

Mohan sized up the situation. Had he not come, they would have stripped her naked, harmed her bodily and even killed her. In a commanding tone full of authority, he said,” It is wrong to take law into your own hands. Leave the job to the police. Disperse immediately.” 

He asked a couple of the men to lift her and put her in the back seat of the jeep. He added “I will leave her at the police station and have the matter enquired into. If she perchance dies, I warn you people that you will all be in trouble.” This scared the few onlookers who hastily left the place

The woman was promptly put in the jeep. One or two fellows offered to come along. 

Mohan said “So you would like to be witnesses when she lodges her complaint that you all beat and stripped her. “

The men quietly withdrew allowing the jeep to proceed.

After travelling some distance, Mohan stopped the jeep and asked the sobbing woman,” Are you okay? What exactly happened to incur the wrath of the mob.”, 

“My children have been starving for the last two days. My husband has deserted me. It is true I stealthily took the bread without realizing I would be caught and the consequences that would follow. I am sorry, Ayya.”

 Mohan sighed and said,” Don’t you know it is wrong and a crime to steal? But I understand the desperate circumstances. Luckily, I was there in time as otherwise they would have put you to great shame and injured you far worse.” He reached for his pocket, gave her 200 rupees and said.” Go home. Don’t go near the bazaar for a few days.” 

The woman, overwhelmed with gratitude, thanked him profusely before stepping out of the jeep and disappearing into the dark.

Mohan proceeded towards the school where he was supposed to be sharp at 530pm. As soon as he reached the school, his wife and son who were anxiously waiting for him at the gate came rushing towards him. 

“Why so late? The function has just started. The chief guest has come already. Hurry up. You look swell in your uniform, cap and all.” 

Mohan smiled as he looked at his son, who was dressed like a politician in a kurta, pyjama, a colourful sleeveless jacket, and dark sunglasses, clutching a Pan Parag tin. His role in the fancy dress competition was to portray a politician, while Mohan’s role was to walk behind him as a security guard. 

Mohan, a software programmer by profession, had rented the police uniform and the jeep from a studio supply shop just for this evening’s event. But fate had given him a real opportunity to act the part—and save a woman's life in the process.