Nine years after the Sabarmati Express burned on the railways tracks of Godhra, a special court in Ahmedabad gave its verdict on what actually happened on that day. The verdict had three core issues
1. The court has upheld that there was a conspiracy behind the attack on the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express
2. Court convicted 31 people under Section 302 and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code
3. Court also acquitted 63, including the key accused, Maulvi Umarji
Now look at the headlines at NDTV website and what does it focus on!
Watching the debates on TV today evening would have been amusing, if it weren't so tragic. You're right, Indian media has never been so much in support of the underdog as they have been today. It was all about celebrating the acquittal of the 63 "chosen ones" and THEIR plight and THEIR suffering and THEIR injustice. I am not saying that their situation should not be given attention, but how it become the MAINSTAY of this judgment?!? For decades now, the Indian criminal justice system has seen under-trials languish in jail, often tortured, suffering, waiting for their turn, sometimes meeting their deaths before they meet freedom. Till now, no news reporter had so much as BOTHERED about the these poor souls till this Godhra judgment today. Suddenly, the under-trials and right to compensation had become the issue of the day! Rahul Kanwal of Headlines Today demanded repeatedly why Modi govt. had not considered the possibility of their compensation! Except for a cursory tribute, nobody really bothered about the plight of the families of the victims or survivors.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, inviting the tainted TEESTA SETALVAD on a debate about an incident that invariably involves her favourite hunt for the past decade - Narendra Modi - takes away the credibility to begin with. Considering she's been charged with falsifying affidavits and tutoring witnesses as well as admonished by the SC, she has no business speaking on any of these channels as a 'guest'.
Secondly, the legal knowledge of these idiot journos is pathetic to say the least. Arban Goswami went on and own about how the 'prime conspirator' was not even present at the station at the times of the crime! Somebody please tell him that a person doesn't have to be present at the scene of the crime to be accused of conspiracy. If Bin Laden is ever caught, will the USA not charge him with conspiracy because he was not on the 9/11 planes?
Great review this is !
ReplyDeleteThere was so much concern for the people, who could escaped due to what ever reason. They were told as victim. Commentator went to son of the key conspirator to know the view but there was no word about real victims who lost their lives. They should have brought at least one on the board. Arnab Goswami was trying to remind Teesta not to take the matter in post Godhara as it will reaffirm the action-reaction hypothesis. But she could not understand it. she has proved that she is bigger fool than people have perception about her. In every attempt to outsmart Mr Modi has landed her in greater dirt.
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