Lalit Jha, purportedly the orchestrator behind the recent Parliament security breach, presents a multifaceted persona spanning from a social media advocate of revolution to a low-key tutor in Kolkata neighborhoods. A study in contradictions, Jha, aged 37 and originally from Bihar's Darbhanga district, resided in Kolkata for almost two decades, teaching various subjects to children.
On social media, his posts echoed revolutionary sentiments, advocating for war as a means to achieve peace. Quoting lesser-known poets and commemorating figures like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, his online persona was marked by spirited reflections on ideology. His recent upload depicted the Parliament breach, aligning with Swami Vivekananda's image, expressing fervent sentiments against oppression and advocating forceful action.
However, to his neighbors in Kolkata's Burrabazar area, where he resided until last year, Jha embodied a contrasting image. Fondly referred to as "Masterji" due to his tutoring endeavors, locals regarded him as a soft-spoken, unassuming figure. His departure on December 10, supposedly for urgent work in Delhi after informing his landlady of his family's Bihar visit, preceded the unfolding of events leading to his identification in the security breach.
Witnesses expressed shock and disbelief upon seeing Jha's involvement in the security breach case, having known him as a respectable, well-mannered individual. His interactions with neighbors painted a picture of a person engaged in social gatherings, associated with NGOs, and widely perceived as a man of integrity.
The discrepancy between Jha's online presence, advocating revolutionary ideologies, and his offline demeanor as a mild-mannered tutor has left those familiar with him perplexed. The revelations surrounding his alleged involvement in the security breach have sparked disbelief and confusion among locals, challenging their perception of the individual they knew.
As the investigation delves deeper into the circumstances leading to the breach, the disparate facets of Lalit Jha's persona continue to intrigue and puzzle those who encountered different versions of the man—a dichotomy that underscores the complexity of human identity.
