Nailing Kasab - A Wild Goose Chase

Everyone poured on to the street as if to fight a battle. People power, it appeared, would prevail. Time for action had come. Politicians, police and their ilk ran for cover. Public memory they all agreed was short. But this time it was different. This movement had enough momentum to defy this hearsay. The pictures and images were after all etched in the memory. We saw them-the terrorists. We saw the monsters firing at our people. We saw our top three police officers on camera a few minutes before being gunned down. They fired at us like no one ever did in the past. It was like being raided by the enemy army. Once it gets etched it cannot be erased. The media announced that they will run this story so that it remained fresh in our minds. The radio stations said the same. For some time it went on as it was planned. The focus and persistence did find success. The CM and State and Union Home ministers lost their jobs. The political class wore a sheepish look for the next few months. The candlelit vigils were bearing fruit and results like never before. The world got rocked and several countries backed us like never seen or heard in the past. Eventually the Pakistan government too capitulated.
Kasab, the lone terrorist sure helped us in cornering Pakistan. He had killed so many but also helped in catching the enemy red handed. The terrorist's time was over and he had no business to cool off in the confines of our country. Time had come to knock him off for good.

Providing a fair trial for him sounded most absurd. We have had several stories when people are bumped off without a seemingly fair trial and here was a terrorist who was responsible for the worst carnage that this city had ever seen being prepared for a judicial trial like any other criminal. Was he another criminal? To me he never came close to anyone. He was an exception and should have been treated as one. Nevertheless the trial had to go on and there emerged several proponents for the same. However getting a lawyer for him had become quite challenging. Political leaders were willing to go after those who dared to defend. The politicians had seen an opportunity and had to milk the opportunity. After some theatrics at last the trial got going. So far so good. But from hereon, absurdity started to raise its ugly head and the apathetic manner in which the same passionate Mumbaikars have reacted has confirmed that the memory box was empty.
The man who had pulled the trigger on 26/11 without any remorse, once again seems to have taken control into his own hands. He has been since making a mockery of our law. The news that seems to be flowing out from the trial is preposterous to say the least. To put things in perspective there are some examples:-

1. First of all he has said that all statements that he had made after his arrest was under duress. Thus all the efforts of the past seems to be all futile.
2. He claims to be a minor. Who cares whether he is a minor or an adult. He has killed scores of people in cold blood and should be eliminated from the face of this world.
3. He has expressed the desire to meet his mother. Did he have any sensitivity when he went after the blood of innocents. There were sons and mothers amongst them. Why should we entertain his entreaty then.
4. He also wants to read Urdu newspaper. Damn you. Does that matter to the people of this country. Is he in a hotel or a library. How dare he make such demands and what is it that makes journalists so excited about such stories. What are they making him into. Some hero of sorts.
5. He wants to take a walk in the mornings otherwise he will feel awful. Does he know what is it to feel awful. If he knew that why would he have chosen the path that has brought him where he finds himself.
6. He wants to use to use flavored toothpaste: This one takes the cake. Even a five star would decline such an inane request.

Perhaps this list can go on and on will drain all our patience. But why is the media projecting him like an innocent victim. Have they forgotten the carnage. They were the ones who had reported so zealously when the city was under siege last November. They seem to have all outlived their collective memories.

How can they forget blood that spattered streets? Why are they forgetting the pain that has been left behind. What makes them write tales of forgiveness? So what if Kasab becomes a martyr for the perpetrators of crime. Naturally he will and so have the other slain terrorists. So why fear this eventuality? Why pick and italicize stories about victims wanting to forgive him? For every forgiving victim there are thousands want to see the end of him.

The street outside the jail has been partially blocked causing a logjam. Why should we undergo this misery? Why is it that justice is not being meted out pronto?

What are we trying to prove?

Perhaps Shiv Sena was right in preventing trial . What kind of fair trial can be meted out for such an unfair deed. Please can the judiciary and media be a little more sensitive to the people of this country so that their faith in the system remains intact.