One of the fundamental principles of a functioning democracy is equality in the eyes of the law. Every single resident, not just a citizen, in a democracy must be treated on par with the rest of the population. There is absolutely no room for distinction or discrimination based on religion, colour of the skin, economic status or even education.

Which is why the vigilantism of Delhi’s new Law Minister Somnath Bharti in chasing down two African women and then subjecting them to a humiliating experience by suspecting them of drug-running should not only be condemned in the strongest words, but also be the grounds for his sacking. Instead, the Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has defended his minister, who then went on to comment that the Indian government is covering up the Ugandan women’s involvement in an alleged sex and drug racket because the Indian High Commission in that country is involved in sex trafficking.