Yesterday belonged to Ajmal Kasab. And the 23-year-old agent of massacre seems to have basked in the media coverage showered on him. The Bombay High Court upheld the sessions court’s decision to hang him. The media went into a frenzy reporting a smiling and smirking Kasab, prior to the verdict.
Was Kasab indeed bothered about the verdict? Were the smiles and smirks purported to ward off the ominous thoughts of the hangman’s noose? Or was it a symbolic mockery of the judicious Indian government? As I try to conjure how a smiling Kasab would look, Jesus Christ comes to mind. And I cannot refrain from drawing a comparison between the life giver and the life taker. Kasab, to me, appears to be the chosen one of the Jihadi cause.
Who knows what crossed his mind while he smiled and smirked? Was it a Jesus-esque thought? Oh father, forgive them, they do not know what they are up to. A belligerent Ujjwal Nikam, the prosecutor, a vocal Prithviraj Chavan, the Maharashtra CM and all others who wanted to have their share of the Kasab pie, might have missed something. A Kasab hanged would ignite hundred of young minds back in Pakistan, vulnerable to misinterpretations of the Quran, to join the fidayeen movement, lured by martyrdom. And Kasab would serve as an ideal inspiration.
It appears that Kasab’s trial acts as an easy outlet for the nation feel righteous and purposeful after failures to pull the noose over other s accused of crimes of similar magnitude. India applauded the verdict, including the revered ministers and public servants. The finance minister has congratulated the decision makers.
The PM’s might do the same but he is the same man who says that corruption and subsequent inaction over it are cons of coalition politics. How credible does this chest thumping over killing one lone, captured militant look when you consider how many in the country actually die because of plain bad governance?
Kasab’s death will do nothing for India. We will still plead with US to arbitrate with Pakistan on Kashmir. Indian army will still be accused of conducting genocide to subdue rebels in disturbed areas. Maoists will still continue with the hostage taking exercise and butchering.
These pertinent issues needs to be attended before the celebration over Kasab’s verdict commences. Or is the verdict indeed worth celebrating? What’s the use of hanging a pawn when the big fishes still lives to mastermind similar acts? Probably Kasab is nonchalant of his fate. He will attain heaven after embracing the gallows anyway. He will be a martyr.
Why don’t we keep Kasab alive and attempt to reform him, which is the true aim of justice. A rehabilitated and human Kasab would be an excellent proponent of cross border peace. A martyr Kasab would definitely ignite similar desire in many souls across the border. What does the government want?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment