Summer in Mangaluru—a breezeless day, the air heavy with sweat. Just for a moment, Jayprashanth Kumar, or J.P. as his friends call him, wants to get away from the crowd. That’s when he spots a rain tree. Standing right next to a police van on Maidan road, the tree offers a momentary respite. Pavit and Yatish, J.P.’s closest friends, haul themselves up first, followed by J.P. Perched on top, J.P. can see a sea of saffron approaching Nehru Maidan. It is a Saturday, five days bef