Politics of selective activism

*Today’s article is little difficult to write owing to the complexity and different facets of the issue involved. While I write this, I am very much aware of the fact that I neither have any background in law nor am I an expert in judiciary. Being a proud citizen of this great democracy, this article is onerous responsibility to express anguish and concern that is deeply resonated in so many people around me.

Past couple of days, India has been embroiled with political row over Yakub Memon, the only convict to be hanged in 1993 Mumbai bomb blast case. The Congress Party leader Shashi Tharoor sparked controversy by criticizing the death penalty as "a pointless and retributive practice" and asking "should the state be reducing itself to the level of murderers and terrorists by taking human life?" Two hours after the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts convict was declared dead on Thursday morning, Mr.Tharoor tweeted that "cold blooded execution had never prevented a terror attack anywhere." The Times of India. The Indian Express and many other media cohorts have joined the bandwagon making a terrorist appear like a hero by giving misleading headlines and extensive coverage. Honestly, I am appalled. I feel numb! 

In 1993, 257 innocent people lost their lives to ghastly terror attacks in Mumbai, a planned execution of terror act against a sovereign country. 

Ignoring media's appetite for sensation even in grief stricken times seems veritable triumph. The social networking sites come across as embodiment of the common rage that is deeply rooted in our minds. When shocking events of this magnitude are packed in such short time, it is too much to comprehend! 

Far too often, we, as nation are taken by never ending storms that reflect political, pseudo cultural and religious, chauvinistic, double faced, hypocritical India. It has become fashionable to criticize/challenge the government's stand particularly high profile cases, so what if it disrupts functioning of governance and invite unnecessary chaos? 

Frankly, I am little jittery over anyone who claims to be "voice of nation/people"! Where does one draw line between activism by media and trial by media? Media's role is to serve as catalyst in bringing out the facts without making any attempt to influence them. But in some high profile cases like Yakub Memon's, the media coverage comes across as biased, inadequate, sensational, inaccurate, unfair, misleading, irresponsible and damaging to public interest. I am not saying all the stories covered in media are in that light but in times when media houses are becoming power houses and considering the filthy money involved in it and its requirement for profit just like any other business model for survival makes one question its professional integrity. Media's role is to assist in evaluating the significance of the events covered and NOT pronouncing judgements and indulging in trail for sake of attracting eyeballs. 

The media sometimes interferes by being intensely involved in high profile cases thus creating sensation, provoking atmosphere of public hysteria thereby in the process diluting the very seriousness of actual issue/crime.

For any democracy, it is very important to have more voices out in open to question with erudite judgement as to what is wrong with its system and participate to create necessary change and awareness. We, as nation are cacophony of many a roars. Suddenly, there is a new breed I see emerging; the arm chair philosophers whose sole purpose is to create their own "brands" by saying things that lack proper research and create sensation showing complete disregard for judiciary and constitution! I have realized this is becoming the new dope for many people these days. 

The impudence and superficiality of Indian media seems to have taken toll on independent, resourceful and honest journalism. The saddest part is that it is losing its credibility in its chase for "being first to present the news". The Indian media is sadly turning into instant views churning machines without taking pain of doing relevant homework. Watch any news channel and it seems courts have shifted to media with carefully crafted rhetoric and curators of the speeches playing role of prosecutor, jury and judge; pronouncing judgements on 24/7 breaking news, setting a very dangerous precedent. 

The real amusement in this whole charade is the notion of "we are cleaning up the system by purging it of rot," which in reality turns the media into lynch mob inciting anger and instigating people. Oh and nothing can work as effectively as virtuous anger for TRP! And there is always a stiff competition to appear "socially responsible". Facebook, twitter, re-tweets, +1, signature campaigns and candle lit march/walks....oh, there are multiple options these days to find catharsis for our collective conscience. There is a deeply disturbing trend of cult of hatred becoming a global epidemic endorsed by religious extremists. 

What kind of people, don't flinch before committing heinous, barbaric sins of taking innocent lives? What kind of religion endorses killing in name of its God and honours the culprits as martyrs/heroes? I fail to understand logic behind any religion that demands people from other religions to be killed! It is difficult to fathom politics of hatred that makes inhuman acts of violence not a regrettable necessity but the whole point and make people who subscribe to their ideologies, barbaric savages. With high stakes invested in terrorism, it has become a new currency to establish religious, political and economic power games for global domination.

Sadly, what we often fail to realize is that, headlines do not always translate into meaningful action that addresses the root cause of the issue. Instead, we fall in to trap of tail chasing scenario of hype and brouhaha the end result of which is nothing except outrage and helplessness.

"There is no flag large enough to cover shame of killing innocent people." Howard Zinn.