I'm a Master in India

"So, what exactly is this Shiva Sena all about?" Luca asked.

"It's the future face of Mumbai. Perhaps their model and political tactics will be the future direction of other places as well."

"Political tactics?" Ron was a little sensitive to this word.

"Oh, regional, language-based, ethnic, creating divisions and confrontations, that's about it," Dhyan replied with a sneer, looking like a cynic.

"I hate terror politics," Luca sighed. "It messes everything up, including business."

"You're right, we all hate politics," Dhyan raised his glass and clinked it against his.

"Why are they doing this?" Ron asked.

"This brings us to the current situation of the Shiva Sena. They've already taken control of the police, because the Shiva Sena is a local political party in Maharashtra, and most of the lower-level police officers are Maharashtrians.

They also control some slums, many labor unions, and some newspapers. They have virtually everything, except money, and that's the key.

Oh, they actually have the support of the Mumbai sugar king and some businessmen. But the real big money, industrial money, and black money, are all in the hands of the Parsis and foreigners who came to Mumbai, as well as the Muslims they hate the most.

So the battle for control began, yeah, you can also call it an economic war, an economic war with Indian characteristics. They shout about race, language, and region, but behind the scenes, it's all about money."

"What about the other forces in Mumbai? This will break the previous balance," Luca asked. He had extensive street experience, and the entry of new forces would inevitably provoke a counterattack from the old forces.

"Mumbai is too big, with more than sixteen million people and over two thousand slums. Think about it, how many gangs are there, and how many mutually hostile forces?

The Shiva Sena is not conspicuous; there are many more violent groups than it. They haven't been able to change the spheres of influence of the various factions yet, but I think they will succeed one day.

Because they do almost everything and can cooperate with almost anyone. What they want is not territory, but money! This will make most gangs relax their vigilance.

Some time ago, these people reached a deal with Rafiq and the police. The police closed down all but a few opium dens in the city in exchange for money and special interests.

Dozens of high-end opium dens, places that have served enthusiasts for generations, were all shut down within a week, shut down forever!

Normally, I'm not interested in dirty politics, but they closed down the opium dens! I ask you, is it still Mumbai if there are no cannabis dens?"

Ron glanced at the people in the corner, who were burying their heads in their food, eating with gusto. Several large platters were spread across the table, each with several smaller dishes containing rice, chicken, and vegetables.

The five people sitting around the table didn't say a word, mostly looking down at their plates, quickly scooping food into their mouths one bite after another, rarely looking at their tablemates.

With just a few quick glances, Ron was already sure that these people should be Hindus and had received some training.

Hinduism advocates vegetarianism, especially the upper castes, who are all true vegetarians.

But under certain special circumstances, in order to ensure physical fitness, such as soldiers, they will choose chicken as a supplement.

Hindu who eat meat and are well-trained, which made Ron think of the famous radical organization in Hinduism, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is an organization that split from the RSS. Modi also served as a propaganda secretary in the RSS, maybe even now.

"Why did they close down the opium dens? It's clearly an extremely profitable business, and it's Rafiq's own business," Ron said, a little puzzled.

"Oh, that's Rafiq's own idea. He's not selling cannabis now; he's selling powder. Rafiq controls the powder coming from the Persian Gulf, not all of it, but he controls a part of it. This stuff is even more profitable than cannabis, much more profitable!"

"Why did the politicians agree?"

"Shhh, things coming into India from the Persian Gulf aren't just powder," Dhyan lowered his voice. "There are also guns, heavy weapons, and explosives. In Punjab, the Sikhs need these weapons. In Kashmir, some Muslims also need them.

You know, with weapons, there is power, the power to speak for many poor Muslims, and Muslims are the enemies of the Shiva Sena. Controlling the powder trade can control the sale of guns.

The Shiva Sena is eager to control the flow of guns into their territory, and Maharashtra is also eager to control money and power. This is all part of a larger struggle, and the purpose of that struggle is to control this Mumbai that we both love and hate."

"Damn, the situation in Mumbai is too complicated; our Brazil is simpler. The Brazilian gangs can directly replace the government and issue orders. Although it's a bit ridiculous, all the forces are clear at a glance, aren't they?" Luca was worried about Mumbai's difficult situation.

What kind of hell joke is this? Everyone looked at each other, and finally, they all shrugged in unison.

"So the Shiva Sena is also eyeing the pharmaceutical business? This stuff is too legitimate, and the profits are far less than their current business," Ron looked at Dhyan.

"Who knows? As long as it's a profitable business, maybe they're all interested," Dhyan tapped his fingers. He felt that this country was completely rotten.

"Buddy, we'd better find other dealers quickly; Mumbai has become unsettling recently," Luca now just wanted to leave this damn place as soon as possible.

"Let's wait a little longer for Pant; it's only three days," Ron didn't want his previous efforts to be wasted.

"Don't worry, with Hadh Khan around, Mumbai won't be chaotic. He's the most influential person in Mumbai."

Dhyan's unintentional comfort made Ron's eyes light up. He seemed to have forgotten a key figure.

"Johnny, it's me, Ron."

"Hey, buddy, I was just about to call you," Johnny's cheerful voice came from the other end of the phone.

"What's up? Are you and Parvati getting married?"

"Married? Of course! But not now. Pant is looking for you. He's not available right now, so he can only contact you through me."

"Thank God, he's still alive. The situation that day was quite thrilling; I thought he..."

"He's not that easy to kill. Those people didn't try to kill him either; I think it was probably a warning."

"A warning?" Ron was a little confused.

"You know, Pant used to mainly do business in the Persian Gulf. He not only brought drugs over there, but sometimes he also smuggled some private goods back, like guns.

Unfortunately, the tribe he traded with in the Persian Gulf has a feud with Rafiq. Worse, many of the guns he brought in flowed into Kashmir.

So you understand, he offended both Rafiq and the Shiva Sena at the same time. If Hadh hadn't come forward, Pant would probably have gone to see Shiva. But that guy is too greedy; it's good to teach him a lesson this time."

"I understand roughly, so what did Pant ask you to tell me?"

"He wants you to meet in Sassoon Docks in three days; everything else remains the same."

"I got it, thank you, Johnny."

"Ron, Hadh told me to tell you. The pharmaceutical business will not be affected; don't worry."

Ron was stunned. "Thank you for me; I will visit again in a while."

Snap, he hung up the phone, frowning in thought. Things seemed more complicated than he thought, and more and more people were getting involved.

Judging from the information Johnny revealed, the people from the Shiva Sena should have negotiated with Pant at the beginning. However, because he was reluctant to give up the Persian Gulf business, Pant refused, so he was later attacked.

This also explained why he was so eager to reach a deal that day and proposed trading in US dollars; perhaps he had a premonition himself.

"Ron, how is it? Is there any reliable news?" Luca asked anxiously from the side.

"Everything remains the same; we'll go to the docks in three days."