We agreed to meet at the Bawli. Ram came half an hour late straight from the duty blearily eyed and tired. He does nights as a security guard with a South Delhi Resident Welfare Association, while spends the day stitching salwar-kameez, blouses and petticoats.

The colony has eight gates, of which only two are accessible. Guards have to make an inspection round of the area on bicycle, once every two hours. The periphery of the colony is fenced with razor wire, making it impossible for anyone to jump over it. The fence provides an unassailable security cover to the residents within. Six guards man the main entrance gates. Every vehicle, pedestrian or vendor is stopped. His/her name, address, phone number entered in the register. The colony roads are used as thoroughfares during the day but by night only residents and visitors of residents are allowed in the locality.

After our conversation I asked Ram Sharan, if he could pose for my camera. He readily agreed. As I was about to take his photograph, I saw a man in white shirt and khaki pants running towards me. He asked me what was I doing with the camera. I said, ‘ just taking a photograph’. He inquired about the permission papers, which of course I had none. He quietly in a matter-of-fact tone told me that, ‘you can’t photograph here without the papers’. I asked, ‘Why’. He smirked and said, ‘National Security! This place is of historical importance, and no one is allowed to do whatever he or she wants to, we have a responsibility towards the nation. ’. I couldn’t believe I was hearing this; I tried a few tricks but nothing happened. Finally Ram Sharan suggested that we could come here again on a Sunday, when the caretaker will probably have an off day and take a few snaps unhindered…