A New India

Chapter 101: It's time for Light - I

The Lok Sabha speech has been a success for Rohan. His words had resonated not just within Parliament but across the entire nation.

He had called for action, for unity, and for an unwavering commitment to defend India from foreign influences. And in the days that followed, Rohan's government launched a crackdown like never before.

For seven days, the country witnessed an intense operation. The crackdown was swift, hard, and relentless. High-ranking officials, powerful businessmen, and grassroots operatives with ties to foreign powers were arrested.

The operation stretched across every corner of the nation, leaving no stone unturned. It wasn't just about taking people into custody; it was about dismantling a network that had spread through every level of society.

Protests erupted almost immediately. People took to the streets, shouting slogans, waving flags, and demanding the release of those arrested.

Many of these protesters were mobilized by politicians who had been implicated in the crackdown. They claimed the government was overstepping, targeting innocent people under the guise of national security.

But Rohan was firm. He had anticipated the backlash, the accusations, and the outcry. But he knew that if he hesitated now, it would give the enemy time to regroup.

He made it clear to his team: no matter what, they had to see this through.

Each day, Rohan received updates in his office. The list of arrests grew, the assets seized became more significant, and the connections uncovered were more shocking. But with each success, resistance grew stronger.

The protests became larger and more organized, and clashes with law enforcement were frequent. The media, both domestic and international, filled their coverage with images of the unrest.

Despite the pressure,Rohan stood his ground.

"We cannot afford to back down," he told his inner circle during a late-night meeting. "Every time we pause, they gain ground. We must root out every last bit of this influence, no matter the cost."

The crackdown continued, and by the seventh day, the nation was tense. The streets felt on edge, filled with a sense of unease.

But behind the scenes, Rohan's forces had delivered a crippling blow to the network that sought to destabilize India.

The arrests had disrupted their operations, leaving the organization fractured and vulnerable.

Yet, there was one final piece to the puzzle, one last target Rohan had been quietly pursuing.

Late in the evening, Rohan received a call. "We've got him," Neeraj's voice crackled over the secure line. "He's in custody."

Rohan didn't need to ask who it was. They had captured a key figure behind the foreign operation in India, the person orchestrating the chaos from the shadows. Rohan had been waiting for this moment.

Within an hour, Rohan arrived at the secret cell where the man was being held. It was a plain building in a remote location, far from the public eye. The room was simple, with just a single chair in the center, where the prisoner sat, guarded by two officers.

The man, dressed in plain clothes, looked ordinary at first glance. But there was a calmness about him, a quiet confidence that suggested he was no ordinary operative.

His eyes were sharp, studying Rohan as he entered the room.

Rohan stepped into the room, the door closing behind him with a soft click. For a moment, there was silence as the two men sized each other up.

"So," Rohan began, his voice steady, "you're the one leading this operation in India. The man from the shadows."

The prisoner didn't respond immediately. He didn't flinch, didn't confirm or deny. He simply watched Rohan with those cold, calculating eyes.

After a long pause, the man finally spoke. "I must admit, we didn't expect things to turn around this fast. I guess we made a mistake in analyzing India...and you, Prime Minister."

"You underestimated us," Rohan said, his voice firm. "You thought you could manipulate us, control us from the shadows. But you were wrong."

The man smirked slightly, a flicker of something almost like admiration in his eyes. "Perhaps. But in our line of work, mistakes happen. It's how we learn."

Rohan took a step closer, his gaze never leaving the prisoner's face. "What was your endgame? To turn us against each other? To weaken us so you could take control?"

The man's smile faded. "Control is an illusion, Prime Minister. Influence, however, is real. And influence, when wielded correctly, can change the course of nations."

Rohan felt a chill run down his spine. The man's words were chillingly accurate, same as the strategy that had nearly torn his country apart.

"But you failed," Rohan said, his voice hardening. "You underestimated the resolve of the Indian people. You underestimated what we're willing to do to protect our nation."

The prisoner's eyes gleamed with something unreadable, was it respect, or something darker? "Perhaps. But you have to ask yourself, Prime Minister how long can you keep this up? The forces you're fighting against...they don't disappear. They regroup, they adapt, and they come back stronger."

Rohan stood silent for a moment, considering the prisoner's words. He knew they were true. The battle they had fought this week was just one of many.

The enemy would return, perhaps not tomorrow or next year or next decade but eventually. The cycle of conflict and resistance would continue.

Finally, Rohan spoke, his voice quiet but resolute. "You're right. They'll come back. But next time, we'll be ready."

The prisoner tilted his head slightly, as if considering Rohan's words. Then, he leaned back in his chair, his composure never wavering. "What happens now, Prime Minister? Do you parade me in front of the cameras? Use me as a trophy to show the world that you've won?"

Rohan's response was immediate, his tone sharp. "You're not a trophy. You're a warning."

The room fell into silence again, the tension thick in the air. The guards exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what Rohan's next move would be.

Then, to everyone's surprise, Rohan turned to the guards. "Release him."