Now whose identity shall I assume as I write an open letter to someone or the other? Should I be a politico-religious nutcase, explaining why my fascist party is better to vote for than all others? Should I pretend to be a Deatheater and start promoting Voldemortbhai of Gujarat? Or should I write one of those essays so beloved of Class VI English teachers: a dialogue between a desk and a chair?

Let's not forget: Indian Muslims don’t just think of themselves as Muslims. It is possible for them to have other identities or ideas about themselves.