New Delhi, April 19 -- Among the worst analyses of human nature is the notion that poverty creates criminal behaviour. Yet, this is a popular perception. As a result, every time an agitation of the poor turns violent, the rich think they know what is going on.

Last week in Noida, factory protestors demanding higher wages and better work conditions turned violent. As if inspired by this, househelps in Noida pelted stones at a residential building demanding better pay and holidays.

In reaction, some of the rich wondered, though not in any genuine fear, why the poor do not go all the way and kill them all. It does not occur to them that one of the things that keeps them safe is extreme inequality.

People are usually not enraged by the lux...