One era’s terrorist is another era’s freedom fighter. Who is
right who is wrong? It’s impossible for
us to sit and pass judgment. Yes it’s wrong to kill but shouldn’t we take a
second to understand why would somebody send someone to kill other people or
why someone would do something like this in the first place. While we Indians sit
and pass judgment on some many issues we don’t take a second to think about the
atrocities we might have inflicted on others. There are mass unmarked tombs
being uncovered in Kashmir, thousands missing, torture inflicted upon, rapes
committed. We miss this and it’s just passes us by.
Ajmal Kasab was one of those who came into Mumbai as a part
of the terror attack and killed people and spread mayhem. He was the only one
caught alive. Surely he is guilty. And surely as the rule of the land allows,
he must be tried fairly and then most obviously hanged. That’s the rule of the law.
If you like it great, if you don’t – then try and change it, it’s a democracy. And
if you cant change it, then you are welcome to live elsewhere if you can’t bear
it. These are plain truths.
Ajmal had to be hanged. The evidence was overwhelming. He was
caught on photos, in the act and on CCTV cameras. Unlike the Afzal Guru case of
the Parliament attacks this seems to be an open and shut case. Simple. In fact
the verdict was passed by the millions of Indians who saw the drama unfold.
HANG HIM. We simply were angry at the extensive trial that was undertaken. We were
angry that a ‘terrorist’ was given a fair trial that lasted so long. Forgetting
that only a fair trial can label you thus.
But that’s still not the point of it this blog. Today
morning he was, by the law of the land, hanged till death. Done. There was no
doubt in my mind that he would be hanged and that this was his ultimate fate.
But today as I saw the news spread on Facebook, I was saddened. Very saddened. There
was talks of a party, there was rejoicing, show of bravado, finally we did it,
about time, etc. Ya sure. We hanged one misguided youth. Without thinking why,
how and under what circumstances did he do it? Possibly he was a mercenary,
paid to kill as a Wikipedia entry tells me. But I still couldn’t be happy
seeing the revenge in people’s mind. KILL. HANG. DIE. I don’t know. I somehow don’t
have those feelings and I did not like seeing them in my friends. Revenge is
not a great feeling. Yes he must die, as is the law, but the law doesn’t tell
us to rejoice on it.
So yes, I am happy that the law took its course. I am happy
that the procedure was followed. A court was appointed who in turn appointed a
competent lawyer to represent Ajmal, his mercy petition was sent to the
President, dutifully rejected and the procedure was carried out. That’s a good
thing. Still it took four years. Wow, if a high profile case can take four
years, its no wonder that cases of lower national attention take so long. But still,
I cant be happy that someone died. Simple. It may be a good thing. Someday
India’s most wanted man, who is holed up in Karachi may die, but still, while
it may be a good thing for a larger set of people, death on anyone can’t be a
thing to rejoice.
I can’t be at the party hall attending a funeral party. I don’t
know. So much hatred for something we know little about. What were his
motivations, how was he brainwashed, why did he do this? All this while his
handlers continue to plot further.
Revenge is such a primal instinct. We want it. We strive for
it. we are gladdened by it. Even I am prone to this. I too like it when my
tormentors get a dose back. But I have learnt differently over a period of
time. Forgive, let go. Let karma take care of the situation. KARMA? Where did
that come from? For a guy who is decidedly non religious, where is Karma coming
in from. I have no clue. Karma is something I use to explain things beyond my
control. In simple – you somehow get back the fruits of your actions or
inactions. It’s simple. No past life, no future life. You and those connected
to you affect what you do and what you get. It’s not like a balance sheet which
balances it. Sometimes you get good and sometimes you get bad. But good or bad,
the circle of control is internal more than external.
But anyways, its surely a time to think and introspect not
rejoice and dance like the cannibals over the mortal remains of a man. Sorry I can
do that.
Yesterday I was watching Pushpak, the dialogue less movie
from the 1980’s. I remember it final sermon being – the ultimate destiny for
any man is … death. So that it is. Whether it was senior right leaning politician
who died a few days back of natural causes, who was seen as a messiah by one set
and a perpetrator of violence by another; or Ajmal - one set who sees him as a martyr and
another as a terrorist. The deal I ask for is stoic. Quiet observer. Seeing life
play out in its many hues. Quietly sitting on the bank and seeing all the
ripples made and guessing what designs they will make when they collide. Learning
no more than to observe and wryly smile.
