18 Flicker In the DarkRahul Gandhi’s election campaign in Gujarat gives the Congress something to lookforwardto in a long time and creates some serious unease within the BJP30 An Out-of-Work ClassThe middle class battles cold conditions in a market where jobs have turned scarce42 Inside the Gender PrisonThe BHU episode saw women fighting the ugly misogyny inherent in the system but patriarchyin the Hindi belt uses its own violence as an excuse to lock women in regressive chains62 Lady Snoopers In TownThey play it very cool to get the job done—passing off as the bystander, the unassumingchit-chatter, even the regular domestic help. Meet the urban women detectives of our times.64 A Cool & Composed StarActor Kalki Koechlin talks about her career, gender-based incomes and her upcoming releases6 LETTERS 10 DEEP THROAT 68 BOOKS 72 GLITTERATI 74 DIARYCover: R. Prasad; Photograph: Vijay Pandey