Tyranny of the masses

"How many of you agree with him", he looks around.

There is a general murmur rippling through the gathering; people shake their heads in disapproval.

He looks back at me triumphant, vindicated. The majority has given its verdict.

The "majority" that has made George Bush the most powerful person on earth.

The "majority" that returns Laloo Yadav to power in Bihar every general election.

The "majority" that allowed Hitler to rule.

The "majority" that is the elusive figure political parties in India are seeking.

The "majority" that is good enough to rule yet evil enough for rules to be framed to protect the "minority".

The "majority" that is made up of minorities.

The "majority" whose logic is "we are more numerous; hence we must be right".

The "majority" which, if he were to ask and had it been brave enough, would have told him that he is an ass.