On Sanjay Dutt, Katju and VK Singh
Lulu, my parrot was in a reflective mood. “Hello” he called up. Those who make friends with parrot instinctively understand when the members of the Psittacidae family are in a reflective mood. It is very instinctive, like Sachin recognising a googly.
“Hello, Sanju baba is going to jail. Did you hear that?” Everybody knew it. Lulu obviously knew it. On ‘GK’ as the youngsters say or ‘general knowledge’ as people of my generation would call it,
Lulu would always score a hundred marks. And that reminds me of Lola Kutty who had an interesting point of view in that she started a new debate by declaring that “knowledge is never general!” Be that as it may, we can come to it later.
“Yes, and I feel very bad about it. I think they should not send him to jail.” I responded to Lulu’s question. “Justice Mr Katju says that Sanju baba’s punishment should be waived by the Government. I find myself in complete agreement. What say you?” That was the right question to begin a conversation. This was the question after all to which media and the intelligentsia was trying to find an answer.
“Nah!” was the response. Very predictable. Lulu and I rarely agree on any issue. But dismissing somebody’s considered opinion with a terse ‘Nah’ is not the correct way to express disagreement. It is rude. It sounds like the Italian Minister dismissing our appeal to hand over the mariners.
“Sanjay Dutt must go to jail. The problem with you is that everything is decided by guiding oneself by emotions. Sanjay Dutt was held guilty, he must go to jail. That is how a law operates.”
“You do not agree with Justice Katju?”
“Nope, I do not see how we can reconcile our positions.”
“Surely he knows law better than you and me. He retired as a Supreme Court Judge.” I protested.
“There is certainly something weird about people retiring from high positions. They continue to make comments that would keep them in the lime light.” Parrots indeed have a bird’s eye view of the situation. Lulu continued, “Look at what VK Singh. He says ‘I would commend Gen Musharraf for coming 11 km (inside Indian Territory) to stay with his troops for a night.’ Phew! Sure to draw attention of one and all.”
“You mean age is taking the toll?” I asked.
“Yeah!”
“Are you suggesting we need younger men at the helm of affairs?”
“Yeah!” said Lulu as he chewed chillies. “And that stands true for many positions, if you know what I mean.”
Vivek
Aha! My bet was right- After a month long hiatus, if i have to catch up with Indian Affiars – i knew Lulu was the best to ask for.
Pardoning Sanjay will set a wrong precedence. Those asking for his pardon, are doing on compassionate grounds.