Of late, one gets this unsavoury feeling that the uncanny relationship between some sections of Rajasthan and Bollywood is all but hunky dory.
A good deal has been said about the Padmavati (or Padmavat) controversies, so let’s not just go there, even to juxtapose.
One cannot help but snigger at the ominous black (buck) ghost of the past that has returned to haunt Salman Khan, whose brush with the law is no breaking news. Some would say the ever-extending arms of law have finally caught this mega star. And apparently justice has prevailed.
But to peer from opaque kaleidoscopic perspectives, however ironic it may sound, some would question if it is really fair to punish a man for killing an animal (or two) to such degree and let him go scot free in the 2002 hit and run case? Then what about those who kill in the name of religion, food, customs, tradition, culture or pure animalistic thrill? Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m no fan of the Dabang star and have encountered him several years ago at Leela Palace, who certainly has ‘star power’. If one is judged by mere deeds, this ‘controversial’ habitual offender, has done his bit for the society and his attempt for ‘being human’ too should be taken into consideration.
Of course, Salman is no Dostoevsky’s Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment, but surely he must have suffered the personal ignominy and wilted during periods of soul-searching. One must also consider the fact that the older and matured Salman is an unlikely mirror image of his brash and arrogant younger self. However, he has to pay today for his yesterday’s deeds!
But if Salman is convicted why are four others who accompanied him free? Are they not accomplices to the crime? And again, why not about half a million more who dwell on the periphery of the forest and continue to commit graver crimes but are seldom booked or apprehended. Why? Because they are poor, illiterate, do not know law or have an oscillating limelight over them!
We say law is equal for all, but I’m sure most won’t agree. Unfortunately we seem to have different yardsticks for different set of people.
Why go so far, about a decade ago when I went looking for a live-in maid in Karwar, an acquaintance even invited me to ‘expeditions in the night’ and revealed they often go hunting and share the meat among villagers. Even the maid confirmed this as a normal practice. If this is the case in places close to ‘modern’ dwellings, imagine what the tribals and adivasis will be up to? Only a few communities including the Bishnois, who Salman is up against, are committed to nature conservation.
My Law College students will now understand what GB Shaw meant in his ‘On the entirely reasonable murder of a police constable.’
But let’s take a step back and ponder – not over justice, but what is just. And I’m reminded of the famous lines uncle Ben told Peter Parker of the Spiderman fame… ‘with great powers come great responsibility.’
Perhaps it’s also high time those who deem themselves ‘great’ also learn to be responsible for their words, actions and deeds.
