“On the side of justice”

I write in the context of Homi Dalal’s letter ("On the side of justice,” Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, July 7, 2011) about Kobad Ghandy being locked up in Tihar Jail for over18 months without any charges having been framed against him. This is an outright violation of constitutional rights and shows how efficiently the administration functions in India.

History is witness to the fact that most poor, rural and tribal areas of our country are neglected, lacking roads, schools, hospitals, government employment schemes, a proper legal or police system. In tribal/rural areas in our country murders, rapes and land grabbing occur almost daily and everything goes unnoticed, thanks to our politicians. There is a high degree of corruption with funds sanctioned for the poor by the government being siphoned off by those in power.

Tribals and the disadvantaged would have never taken up arms if not for excessive police atrocities against their women, children and the elderly which have forced them to fight for their rights. Sympathizers like Ghandy and others are highly educated Indians who espoused a noble cause to bring relief to the poor. Unfortunately, they were locked up in jail and declared Naxalites.

The Supreme Court has stated in Dr Binayak Sen’s case that sympathizers are not Naxalites. Government should understand that these so-called Naxalites are our own people, Indian citizens and not foreign mercenaries. They were forced to take to the path of violence because of hardships. Terrorists are foreign nationals who attack our country. Unfortunately, terrorists who are caught are given VIP treatment, as in the case of Ajmal Kasab of Pakistan.

Naxalites have killed corrupt policemen who have made life hell for the poor tribals. They have never attacked innocent people.

If today we had leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jayaprakash Narayan and Lal Bahadur Shastri these problems would have been sorted out by mutual dialog. If the Government appoints mediators to conduct talks, this problem can be curbed.

Parsis have produced legal luminaries, right from the chief justice of India, solicitor general of India and top advocates. However, today not a single Parsi legal practitioner is willing to stand up and fight for Ghandy’s rights. This is a matter of utter shame to our community and to humanity.

I salute Homi Dalal. At least one Zoroastrian has spoken up for Ghandy.

Capt (Retd) S. E. BHATHENA

Panchgani

s_bhathena@yahoo.co.in