By: John S. Shilshi
In what may be termed as India’s most long drawn criminal trials in recent times, Sanjay Dutt fought a legal battle for fourteen years. Right from day one, this high profile case provided plenty of “masala” for the ever hungry media personnel of this country. Stories after stories were churn out of it, both by print and electronic media. So much so that this rugged looking actor became a household name more for the AK 56 rifle that he possessed rather than for his acting talent. Frenzied Indian media also peeped into the good and bad sides of Sanjay Dutt, and in the process of doing so they even invaded into his and his family’s privacy. The other day, when the final verdict ultimately dawned on him, the Dutt story emerged as the most reported criminal case in Indian history.
Though the gravity of the crime committed never really was in doubt, the case generated much debate mostly on the lines of whether or not the actor should have been doled out an 18 months confinement even while the trial was still in progress. Like it provided ingredients to media to generate sensational story lines, the case also provided an opportunity to many legal luminaries to discuss the ifs and buts of the proceedings. After he was out of jail, Dutt came back very strongly and hit the Bollywood screen with a bang. Among others, two of his comeback releases, namely “Munnabhai MBBS” and “Lage Raho Munnabhai”were super hits. Not only did these two movies drove Indian cinema lovers crazy, but transformed the very image of Sanjay Dutt so also altered his fan profile. From a rough and tough hard hitting ‘Khalnayak’(villain) image, he transformed himself to a terrified, god-fearing, and caring philanthropist, while his earlier fan following confined mostly to the lower strata of Indian society multiplied into middle and upper class Indians as well.
Dutt’s new found method of practicing Gandhian philosophy in “Lage Raho Munnabhai” indeed impacted so much on Indian society, that traffic police in Mumbai offered flowers to those who jumped signal lights. Even in notorious Bihar, students of a college offered roses to Assamese passengers in protest against killing of Biharis in Assam. Such is the enormity of Sanjay Dutt’s influence on Indian society in the post “Lage Raho Munnabhai”, period and much before the final verdict was pronounced, he had already assumed a larger than life image. More over, fourteen years is a very long period and the Indian public, known for its short memory had already forgotten the Actor’s past. Despite media’s reminders from time to time, the Indian public comfortably preferred to dwell in the actor’s present rather than in his past, and was in an all forgiving mood. Hence, intense mobilization of public opinion preceded the judgement day, so as to indirectly influence the trial court to fall in line and follow the bandwagon. Some television channels even went to the extent of suggesting leniency towards Dutt.
However, Judge Dattatreya Kode stood rock solid in discharging his official duty. He remained unperturbed by the happenings around him, and saw only what he was required to see. He pronounced the judgment purely according to merits of the case, based on the evidence placed before him by the prosecution and did not allow emotions or sentiments to overawe him. His observation about the accused, “acquiring AK 56 suggests his character” said it all. Thus Judge Kode not only did Indian Judiciary proud, but also instilled a sense confidence in the moderate Indian public mind that this democratic institution on which the country heavily relied upon, can deliver the goods provided the will is there. He also sends a strong message to all those who perceived Judiciary as a weak institution when confronted by the high and mighty. His judgment also amplifies the efforts of his judicial brethren who dealt with the Shibu Sorens and the Shahab-uddins of India. Above all, he made every patriotic Indian proud of the system that this great country has begotten for herself.
Like many others, this author is a diehard fan of Sanjay Dutt, and the very thought of him being confined in a cell where ordinary mortals are lodged is hard to comprehend. Similarly, like many others, this author too feels that six years is perhaps too long a term. But this feelings and sympathies apart, the author is proud to have belonged to a country where systems work. That Sanjay Dutt and his high profile family are graceful in defeat, is also a lesson in itself. One can only wish him strength and even more bouncy return to filmdom after six years. But for the present, truth has triumphed, and the modern Gandhi has been humbled.
Source: Kangla Online
No comments:
Post a Comment