SPS 'Face'-s Attack

Moment I switched on the television yesterday, I was in for a shock. SPS Rathore was attacked by a man posing as a journalist. News channels kept on rewinding the video clip of Rathore's face being stabbed thrice in succession within seconds. The culprit is said to have acted under severe depression. He was unable to bear the injustice ever since Ruchika Girhotra case was highlighted in the media.

As an onlooker, I was at first shocked and my immediate reaction was 'Oh my God, how brutal!'

On second thought, the feminist sense took over. There was a secret delight in seeing Rathore in pain. I am sure this pain was in no way comparable to the one Ruchika and her family had to bear for so many years. Poor Ruchika, I empathise with her. And so do others who are human beings.

I feel sorry for the stabber, Utsav Sharma, too. The despicable crime and delay in meting out justice for the dead victim perhaps was too much for him to bear in his state of depression.

I am sure there are many who must gnashing their teeth in anger at Rathore's crime, his smile, his smirks and even his face. Which is why one of these had to bear the brunt- this time, his face. SPS Rathore has become an emblem of unbridled power and the gory misuse of authoriy.

If our judicial system fails to provide speedy action and instill faith in general public, it wouldn't be surprising to see more and more people taking law into their own hands.

Till then, let's pray and have faith in the system.

Whose Mumbai?

Mumbai is special for me because I got my first posting there. I cannot forget the delight of travelling in local trains, the monsoon, the sea, prawns, the malls of Navi Mumbai, the Ganesh festival and most of all, the people.

The spirit of Mumbai is almost palpable.

Which is why I feel sad at the way MNS and Shiv Sena are going about their business of poisoning innocent minds in their race for capturing the Marathi vote bank. I am reminded of Mohammad Bin Tughlaq and his so called Tughlaqi commands and decisions which always backfired. Is there lack of genuine concern that so much politics is being cooked over the artifical fire of regionalism? Are words like poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, human trafficking, child labour archaic? If MNS and Shiv Sena argue that they are fighting for rights of Marathis, I beg to differ because one's right is another's duty. In giving rights to Marathis, these fanatic bodies are stealing those from non- Marathis. What will become of being an Indian?

Its time for the Marathis to stand up and defend the rights of their brethren instead of remaining quiet about the dirty politics that is being played on their name.

I admire people like Shahrukh Khan, Amir Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Amitabh Bacchan, Mukesh Ambani, Rahul Gandhi and others who have the guts to speak the truth. Fanatics can do only one thing best- fan the flames of fanaticism. As educated and well aware Indians, people from all over the country must not let narrow concerns govern us. Being silent isn't being brave but akin to supporting injustice.