Suman K Sharma
As a small boy, I used to be much intrigued at how a rod looked bent when dipped into a bucket of water and straightened up again on being taken out. It was years later that our Physics teacher took pains to explain to us in the class the phenomenon of refraction.
The world as seen with the fresh eyes of a child often returns to us in mature years, if only as a metaphor. Actor Salman Khan, sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, has been set at large on bail; so what if he is convicted of mowing down a man to a painful death (and injuring four others) while driving his car in a drunken state. Jayalalithaa, that diehard Amma of the Tamil Nadu politics, has been absolved of the charges of amassing disproportionate assets and is now likely to grace once again the chair of Chief Minister of that state, which she had to vacate upon her conviction some eight months ago. In Salman Khan’s case, it was probably his standing as a public figure that bailed him out: ‘Can he, an idol to lakhs of fans, go absconding? Has he not been doing charity work through his venture “Being Human”?’ In Jayalalithaa’s conviction, the high court has found fault with figures. According to the revised figures, the extent of disproportionate assets ‘is within permissible limit’, the court has decided. In the wizardry of legalese, Salman Khan’s sentence has been effectively held in abeyance indefinitely and Jayalalithaa comes out shining brighter than ever – ‘like gold purified by fire.’ It is another story that the judgment of the higher court has not entirely negated the accusation her ill-gotten wealth. Consider also the case of Jitender Singh Tomar, Law Minister in the government of Delhi. Ram Manohar Lohia University, Faizabad, UP, from where the worthy claims to have completed his graduation, is said to have given in writing that the degree submitted by Tomar is ‘forged’ and his mark sheet and roll number, ‘incorrect’. As to his degree in Law, the Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University has informed Delhi High Court in an affidavit that the provisional LLB certificate submitted by Tomar is forged. But how does Tomar fare now, you may ask. He fares well, still holding on to the chair of Delhi’s Law Minister. And no thanks to the Bar Council who has filed a complaint against his dubious qualifications.
Current events have a way of reflecting upon each other. There is this news-item about Delhi Police traffic head-constable Satish Chand, who is shown throwing a brick at a woman driving a scooty. Both the parties of have lodged conflicting FIRs, accusing each other of grave misconduct. The woman’s version is that the cop had demanded a bribe of Rs 200 from her and when she refused him, the enraged cop hurled a brick at her. The cop says the lady had jumped a red light. Stopping her, he told her that she would have to pay a challan of Rs 100. He also asked her to show him registration papers and the driving license. In turn, she abused him verbally and tore off his uniform. Delhi High Court, taking suo motu cognizance of the ugly incident, has chided both the citizens for wanting in performance of their duties and the police personnel for lacking restraint when faced with such situations. Delhi Police Commissioner, meanwhile, has gone ahead to forthwith dismiss the erring cop from service.
Chand, you may say, is only a humble cop, one among thousands in his force, easy to be taken to task and shunted out. It is while catching the big fish when law enforcement agencies seem to falter. But that is not the case. Instances of the former Union Telecom minister, A. Raja, and Karunanidhi’s daughter MK Kanimozhi – a Rajya Sabha member in her own stead – being put behind the bars are too recent to be forgotten. Haryana government has instituted a commission of inquiry to thoroughly scan acquisition of land by Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra and others. Supreme Court has held that it was inappropriate on the part of the former CBI chief, Ranjit Sinha to meet the accused in 2G and ‘Coalgate’ scams at his residence when he was heading the investigating agency. Ruling that the matter ‘needs to be investigated’, the apex court has asked the Central Vigilance Commission to assist it.
So let us have no illusion. The nation-state wields a straight enough rod. Even if it seems bent at times, it straightens out when seen in clear light. Refraction, after all, too is a natural phenomenon.
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