If the word psephology is part of public vocabulary today, we would like to think we played some role in that. India Today in a way pioneered the political opinion poll in India. In 1978, we commissioned our first poll. We have done 72 polls since then and through the years we have become identified with them.

These days everyone does opinion polls. They are even conducted on the Internet! Many of these are done in a rush, based on the opinion of just 1,000 or so city voters and passed off as representative of a diverse nation. At India Today tradition has always demanded a truly representative view. As a result our ORG-MARG poll this week on the mood of the nation covered over 16,000 in 66 constituencies spread over 16 states. With the elections three months away and speculation rife, we wanted to establish a scientific benchmark early on that would govern political discussions. It means that our poll covers a variety of issues, from which party would be elected if the elections were held today to who would be the best choice as prime minister.

Although the poll was an early favourite for cover, the tragic murder of young Jessica Lall seemed to strike a more powerful chord. Not just in Delhi but across this country. It is bizarre that a man, refused a drink at the bar, should whip out a revolver and shoot a woman in cold blood. Yet it is indicative of a changing time and of a new disturbing trend. Some young people from families that have recently acquired power and affluence consider themselves the new elite. Yet they are denied the social acceptability they crave. It becomes a clash of cultures and the frequent result is violence.

It is a time when owning a gun is fast becoming routine and when a new breed of brash young men consider themselves above the law. If this is allowed to carry on unchecked it will threaten the very survival of civilised society as we know it.

(Aroon Purie)