A New India
Chapter 277 - 277: Ready for Phase 3

By late afternoon, the news had spread to every corner of the country, igniting passionate discussions everywhere from the bustling streets of Delhi to the quietest hamlets in Bihar.

Groups gathered under banyan trees, outside tea stalls, and on the steps of village temples.

The government's revelations had shaken the nation to its core.

What had seemed like localized chaos now had faces, names, and damning evidence attached to it.

Betrayal was no longer abstract, it was personal.

In political circles, panic set in.

Opposition leaders scrambled behind closed doors.

Some convened hurried meetings, whispering about strategies to salvage their reputations, while others remained silent, knowing that speaking out now would only further stoke public rage.

For the first time, it was clear: the tide had turned, and it was turning against them.

The people, who had been manipulated and misled, were now united in their anger, and that anger was directed squarely at those they once trusted or at least tolerated.

In his office, Rohan sat behind his desk, flipping through yet another intelligence report.

The atmosphere was cool, but his demeanor was steady.

Neeraj, standing by the window, broke the silence. "Do you think they'll retaliate, sir?"

His voice was careful, probing.

Rohan didn't look up immediately.

He finished reading the page in front of him, placed the file down, and finally met Neeraj's gaze. "No," he said firmly.

"They won't dare. The people have turned against them, Neeraj. Anyone who speaks out now will only be digging their own grave."

Neeraj seemed reassured but couldn't entirely shake his concern. "Still, sir, desperate men do desperate things. They might try to provoke unrest again or spin the narrative against us."

Rohan leaned back in his chair, his lips curving into a faint smile. "Let them try. Every misstep they take will only strengthen our position. They're trapped. Cornered animals. They're more likely to devour themselves than come after us."

Across the country, the atmosphere was serious.

At a small tea stall in Patna, a group of men huddled over newspapers, their voices raised in a mix of disbelief and fury. "Do you think they've fled the country?" one man asked, his brows furrowed as he scanned the headline.

"Where could they run?" replied an elderly shopkeeper, shaking his head. "There's nowhere to hide from the truth. The government will find them."

In a quiet village in Punjab, farmers gathered under a large banyan tree, their hands clutching copies of Bharat Darpan. "These leaders made fools of us," one farmer said bitterly. "They turned us against each other while they filled their pockets."

A younger man stood up, his fists clenched in anger. "If they ever dare to come back here, we'll deal with them ourselves."

It wasn't just anger that swept through the nation; it was also resolve.

For the first time in weeks, the fear that had paralyzed communities during the riots was dissipating.

People felt emboldened, their outrage fueling a collective determination to hold these traitors accountable.

At R&AW headquarters in Delhi, the war room was alive with activity. Rao, Atma Jayaram, and Neeraj sat across from Rohan, reviewing the latest developments.

The map on the wall, peppered with red and green pins, marked areas of unrest, key arrests, and progress in the operation.

"The narrative is ours, sir," Rao began, his voice steady but grave. "The people believe us, and the evidence we've released has solidified their trust. But we're picking up whispers of opposition leaders holding clandestine meetings. They're trying to figure out their next move."

Jayaram, the IB chief, added, "Some are even floating the idea that the evidence we've presented is fabricated. They're grasping at straws, but if they find a foothold…"

Rohan chuckled, a low, dark sound that silenced the room. "Let them. The people aren't fools anymore. They've seen the proof with their own eyes. Anyone who tries to defend these traitors now will only expose themselves further."

Neeraj leaned forward, a hint of unease in his voice. "But what if they escalate, sir? What if they try to reignite the unrest? We've seen how quickly misinformation spreads in times like this."

Rohan's gaze sharpened. "That's precisely why we can't afford to stop here. The momentum is ours, and we need to push it further. It's time for Phase Three."

Jayaram raised an eyebrow, curiosity mingling with caution. "Phase Three, sir?"

Rohan rose from his chair and walked over to the large map, his hands clasped behind his back.

The room fell silent, everyone waiting for him to speak. "Phase Two was about controlling the narrative. We exposed the traitors and gave the people a reason to demand answers. But Phase Three…" He turned to face them, his expression resolute.

"Phase Three is about justice. And not just justice, it's about restoring faith."

He paused, then continued, "Do any of you know Rousseau?"

The question caught them off guard. After a moment, Rao ventured cautiously, "The philosopher?"

"Exactly," Rohan said, nodding. "Rousseau talked about the 'General Will', the collective desire of the people for the common good. He also spoke of Popular Sovereignty, the idea that power belongs to the people. Right now, the people's will is crystal clear. They want accountability. They want justice. And as their representatives, it's our duty to deliver."

Jayaram leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You're saying this isn't just about arrests. It's about sending a message."

"Precisely," Rohan said. "This isn't just about cleaning up the mess. It's about showing the people that their voices matter, that their outrage won't go unanswered. We're not just acting as a government, we're acting as the voice of the people."

Rao's expression turned serious. "But Phase Three will require a level of transparency we've never attempted before, sir. If even one case is mishandled, it could unravel everything."

Rohan's eyes flashed with determination. "Then we won't mishandle it. We've prepared meticulously for this. The arrests are clean, the evidence is irrefutable, and the people are already on our side. This is the moment we prove that India is stronger than chaos."

Neeraj hesitated, his voice tinged with concern. "And the international community, sir? They're watching us closely."

Rohan shrugged, his tone dismissive. "Let them watch. India's sovereignty isn't up for debate. This is our fight, our people, our future. If the world doesn't understand that, it's their problem, not ours."

Jayaram exhaled slowly. "It's a bold strategy, sir. But if it works…"

"It will work," Rohan interrupted, his voice unwavering. "Because we're not just enforcing the law. We're rebuilding trust."

As the meeting concluded, Rohan turned to Neeraj with a final directive. "Ensure Rao and Jayaram have everything they need for Phase Three. No loose ends. No mistakes."

Neeraj nodded. "Of course, sir. And the public?"

Rohan's expression softened, but his resolve remained. "They're already with us. By the time we're done, they'll be united. And that's when we'll have truly won."

Outside, the streets of India buzzed with tension. Groups continued to gather, their voices rising with each passing hour.

The people didn't know it yet, but they were part of something larger, a carefully orchestrated plan that was moving into its final, decisive stage.