I am not someone who keeps up with all current affairs all the time, but whenever I happen to switch on a news channel or glance through a news paper, all I can see is violence, major part of which is directed against women or children. Especially in the past few days, most of the headlines comprised of these incidents only, reading about the killings in Nithari, or of those in Punjab, then yesterday, heard about Rape cases in the Madarsas in Allahabad, I almost feel pity for the society. These incidents, which cannot be tolerated in any civilized society, are happening in India, which regards children as messenger of God and Women as Goddesses themselves,is so sad.
Is the world we are living in all unreal, this is all a virtual world we are living in, the real India is that we hear about in the news, shudder at its grotesqueness and then forget about it thinking that its another world, another age.
And then there is this helplessness of not being able to do anything to change these circumstances. Whenever I try to consider my options, I am never able to reach any practical, feasible solution to this. What can I do, at the least donate money, at max leave my job and join some organization. But will any of these and all the other options lying between them lead to any change in the present circumstances, will we ever be able to say that the society is now safe for all especially young vulnerable children and defenseless women. And most important is how can we help??
Monday, January 29, 2007
Punishment-to whom?
Sanjay Dutt has again asked for bail and his bail has been extended till 6 Feb. Found guilty on 28 Nov, his surrender was postponed till Dec 19, after which it was extended till Jan 18, when he again got an extension and now he has to surrender on Feb 6. Sanjay was found guilty for possessing a 9mm pistol and an AK-56 rifle. He applied for bail stating that he was the only earning member and wanted to make arrangements for his daughter’s education. Has anyone ever heard of such excuses for bail petitions? And the amazing fact is that he has been granted bail. Though he was sentenced almost 2 months back, he has not been convicted till now. How can we then call our system fair??
No one is raising voice against this outright mockery of law.
When we look at the problem like this, we realize that the system is not fair, but maybe there can be a different solution to the problem.
There are people who commit crimes under pressure, first time offenders, people who have been forced to do those crimes under unavoidable circumstances, for excitement. These people who are not basically criminals but have done some wrong deeds due to misguidance or circumstances should be given a chance for a better life. Condition in jails is horrible and the environment they provide is far from conducive to the betterment of people. People come out of jails hardened and bitter. Convicts are generally left unproductive, as their talent and skills are all wasted and they usually work as unskilled or semi-skilled laborers. Why should the state feed the people who have been convicted and why should their families be left to fend for themselves?? The real punishment is given to the accused families who have to look after themselves
One thing that I would like to say is that I am NOT defending those criminals for whom crimes are a way of life, who are not sorry for what they have done or those whose mentality justifies the crimes that they have committed.
If these conditions have to continue, then maybe it is better not to convict them at all. Why is there no probation system in India, one in which people who commit such crimes can be put in probation houses where they are free to go out in the day, earn for themselves and their families, lead a fairly normal life, but report back to the place in the evening; and then if they commit the crime again, then maybe they can be put through a difficult punishment. In the end, the purpose is to make people realize their mistakes and make them better human beings.
Even in Dutt’s case, he was not fully aware of the consequences or the severity of his actions. Sanjay has already served 18 months in jail and its highly unlikely that he will repeat his acts again, and considering the fact that so much money is invested in his films, maybe he could also be left out on probation, but of course heavy fine should be imposed on him. That way the state can get funds to put in better causes, and Sanjay will also not be rendered unproductive.
No one is raising voice against this outright mockery of law.
When we look at the problem like this, we realize that the system is not fair, but maybe there can be a different solution to the problem.
There are people who commit crimes under pressure, first time offenders, people who have been forced to do those crimes under unavoidable circumstances, for excitement. These people who are not basically criminals but have done some wrong deeds due to misguidance or circumstances should be given a chance for a better life. Condition in jails is horrible and the environment they provide is far from conducive to the betterment of people. People come out of jails hardened and bitter. Convicts are generally left unproductive, as their talent and skills are all wasted and they usually work as unskilled or semi-skilled laborers. Why should the state feed the people who have been convicted and why should their families be left to fend for themselves?? The real punishment is given to the accused families who have to look after themselves
One thing that I would like to say is that I am NOT defending those criminals for whom crimes are a way of life, who are not sorry for what they have done or those whose mentality justifies the crimes that they have committed.
If these conditions have to continue, then maybe it is better not to convict them at all. Why is there no probation system in India, one in which people who commit such crimes can be put in probation houses where they are free to go out in the day, earn for themselves and their families, lead a fairly normal life, but report back to the place in the evening; and then if they commit the crime again, then maybe they can be put through a difficult punishment. In the end, the purpose is to make people realize their mistakes and make them better human beings.
Even in Dutt’s case, he was not fully aware of the consequences or the severity of his actions. Sanjay has already served 18 months in jail and its highly unlikely that he will repeat his acts again, and considering the fact that so much money is invested in his films, maybe he could also be left out on probation, but of course heavy fine should be imposed on him. That way the state can get funds to put in better causes, and Sanjay will also not be rendered unproductive.
Watched Parzaaniya on the weekend, and the impact it has on everyone. I could feel it in every corner of the movie hall, everyone was screaming a silent NO, and I could see the anger in all the eyes, anger and pain, but half an hour after watching the movie I and i think most of us again got involved and absorbed inn our own lives, forgetting everything.
Each one of us, at least most of the people are against such atrocities against anyone, but then whatever fire we have inside us, it gets dissipated, instead of channelizing it, giving it a direction we let it die from our hearts, the flicker of light, and anger we feel does not get utilized. After all these issues can never be resolved by one person's commitment, we need the masses, and we need its total dedication at all times, it ha sto become a way of life and not just a part of life.
Each one of us, at least most of the people are against such atrocities against anyone, but then whatever fire we have inside us, it gets dissipated, instead of channelizing it, giving it a direction we let it die from our hearts, the flicker of light, and anger we feel does not get utilized. After all these issues can never be resolved by one person's commitment, we need the masses, and we need its total dedication at all times, it ha sto become a way of life and not just a part of life.
Indian Scenario
Got this forward today....
OLD VERSION...
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter so he dies out in the cold.
MODERN VERSION
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.
NDTV, BBC, CNN show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.
The World is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be that this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Arundhati Roy stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house. Medha Patkar goes on a fast along with other grasshoppers demanding that grasshoppers be relocated to warmer climates during winter. Amnesty International and Koffi Annan criticize the Indian Government for not upholding the fundamental rights of the grasshopper. The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support to the grasshopper (many promising Heaven and Everlasting Peace for prompt support as against the wrath of God for non-compliance). Opposition MP's stage a walkout.Left parties call for "Bharat Bandh" in West Bengal and Kerala demanding a Judicial Enquiry.CPM in Kerala immediately passes a law preventing Ants from working hard in the heat so as to bring about equality of poverty among ants and grasshoppers.
Lalu Prasad allocates one free coach to Grasshoppers on all Indian Railway Trains, aptly named as the 'Grasshopper Rath'.
Finally, the Judicial Committee drafts the Prevention of Terrorism Against Grasshoppers Act [POTAGA]", with effect from the beginning of the winter.
Arjun Singh makes Special Reservation for Grass Hopper in educational Institutions & in Govt Services.
The ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government and handed over to the grasshopper in a ceremony covered by NDTV.
Arundhati Roy calls it "a triumph of justice". Lalu calls it 'Socialistic Justice'. CPM calls it the 'revolutionary resurgence of the downtrodden' Koffi Annan invites the grasshopper to address the UN General Assembly.
Many years later...The ant has since migrated to the US and set up a multi billion dollar company in silicon valley.100s of grasshoppers still die of starvation despite reservation somewhere in India...
ps: Deepa Meheta's Water got nominated for Oscars as an entry from Canada. Sounds familiar to the above one no?? And now the news-channel are saying how proud India is at this achievement. Who gave them the right to claim even a speck of Deepa's effort?
OLD VERSION...
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter so he dies out in the cold.
MODERN VERSION
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.
NDTV, BBC, CNN show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.
The World is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be that this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Arundhati Roy stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house. Medha Patkar goes on a fast along with other grasshoppers demanding that grasshoppers be relocated to warmer climates during winter. Amnesty International and Koffi Annan criticize the Indian Government for not upholding the fundamental rights of the grasshopper. The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support to the grasshopper (many promising Heaven and Everlasting Peace for prompt support as against the wrath of God for non-compliance). Opposition MP's stage a walkout.Left parties call for "Bharat Bandh" in West Bengal and Kerala demanding a Judicial Enquiry.CPM in Kerala immediately passes a law preventing Ants from working hard in the heat so as to bring about equality of poverty among ants and grasshoppers.
Lalu Prasad allocates one free coach to Grasshoppers on all Indian Railway Trains, aptly named as the 'Grasshopper Rath'.
Finally, the Judicial Committee drafts the Prevention of Terrorism Against Grasshoppers Act [POTAGA]", with effect from the beginning of the winter.
Arjun Singh makes Special Reservation for Grass Hopper in educational Institutions & in Govt Services.
The ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government and handed over to the grasshopper in a ceremony covered by NDTV.
Arundhati Roy calls it "a triumph of justice". Lalu calls it 'Socialistic Justice'. CPM calls it the 'revolutionary resurgence of the downtrodden' Koffi Annan invites the grasshopper to address the UN General Assembly.
Many years later...The ant has since migrated to the US and set up a multi billion dollar company in silicon valley.100s of grasshoppers still die of starvation despite reservation somewhere in India...
ps: Deepa Meheta's Water got nominated for Oscars as an entry from Canada. Sounds familiar to the above one no?? And now the news-channel are saying how proud India is at this achievement. Who gave them the right to claim even a speck of Deepa's effort?
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