ABSTRACT
This excerpt is taken from Indira Goswami’s novel in Assamese, Ahiran, translated by Dibyajyoti Sarma into English. Through the character of Harshul, we experience the violence and frenzy that accompanies a mob attack. This raw episode of atrocity is painted with expert brushstrokes by Indira Goswami. Harshul was finally saved by the intervention of a woman. When he opened his eyes, amidst the crowd, he clearly noticed the woman whom the company’s driver Gaurishankar had left pregnant. Even in a state of half-consciousness, his eyes captured her and the scene of her trying to stop a violent mob. She was protecting him like a tigress protecting her cubs. Even in the cacophony of noises, he heard her piercing voice. He can’t help noticing the selfless urge in her eyes.
