WHITHER KERALA?

As we read more and more about policemen and officers being part of the criminal system in Kerala, it is indeed frightening to see the fence eating the crop. The sense of security and safety that we the ordinary citizens feel with these people around, is giving way to that of mute fear and utter shame.

Recently CBI arrested the President of Kerala Police officers Association for trying to kill a newspaper reporter and for threatening to put to fire the house of a higher officer who was investigating the case. The fault of the reporter was that he wrote of piece of 'investigative' report in a leading newspaper on the nexus between police officers and criminals, threatening the very fabric of our social system.

When he was remanded to CBI custody for questioning, the guilty official put up such a show of resistance that they could not question him at all. When produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate thereafter, he 'fainted' in front of the judge necessitating him to undergo medical check-up. When the doctor certified that there is nothing wrong with him he was sent to prison where he 'fainted' again compelling the authorities to send him to Medical College for further diagnosis and treatment.

What a sham show! The Central Bureau of Investigation, the judge, the doctors and the advocates; everyone knew that he is putting up a show to defy him being questioned by CBI and the entire system went his way. Goodness gracious! Where goes justice? And see how offenders escape the judicial process! I am forced to think that I am staying in a 'banana' state!

Same thing happens when politicians are brought to justice. Last year's episode of a well-known political leader 'fainting' in front of the court which pronounced him guilty and later, after being sent to jail he acted sick to move to hospital so as to live with all comforts in spite if being punished by the court, was a similar case. And 2 months later, the Chief Minister who belongs to his political 'front' came to power, pardoned him and curtailed his imprisonment, letting him go free. Once out, he is suddenly healthy enough to travel extensively and rake controversies! This brings to mind the ineffectiveness of law on people with money and power. It brings such a sour taste to mouth and one feels ashamed of living in a society infested with dreaded criminal gangs fully supported by police and politicians, making the law looks like a scare crow.

And then what do we hear in Kannur? A youth belonging to an opposing party was publically tried by the party goons for throwing stone at a cavalcade led by the district secretary of the party. After him being tried, they pronounced death sentence for him and he was killed by lynching right in front of people. And justice is delivered!

What is happening in our state? Have we gone back to the dark ages? Where are justice, law and order? Is it something decided by those with money, power and influence? Where will the common man go for getting justice? So many questions trouble me and I feel quite restless in the present state of affairs.