Kaveeta Kaul
I feel personally vindicated and a certain sense of euphoria at the news of Manu Sharmas indictment..nine months and twenty seven days after the case was reopened.
A red letter day for civic activism.
Although I may amount to .0000000001 % of those who had done all within the ambit of their reach to ensure that the culprit is charged, whether it had to do with writing passionate, anger ridden posts, or sending sms’es by the hundreds, or then later providing moral support to the key witness Bina Ramani, this is as if a personal victory, since there was a certain section all too willing to pooh pooh , turn their nose up and voice disdain at the ‘wasteful attempts which will amount to nothing”..
For all those citizens to who justice is a fundamental essential for continuing to feel patriotic towards the country, as well as a response to a cry from the soul for a girl unjustifiably wronged, this is a matter of great elevation and appeasement. It is amazing the extent to which the conscience of an entire nation was stirred at the unfair acquittal of the culprit.
The anguish Jessicas family has faced is gut wrenching. Easily gaged by the fact that her mother developed cancer soon after Manu Sharmas acquittal and died six months later. ..soon after which Mr. Lall too chose death as his refuge rather than being witness to injustice and incongruity of laws . An entire family had perished in the quest for justice.
Sabrina lall, Jessicas sister is the sole member of the family, left to celebrate, if its possible, justice finally having been meted out to Jessica.
In an unprecedented first, the uproar from India at the open flagration of the system, has brought to its knees, craftiness of lawyers, and muscle power of Manu Sharmas family. Priyadarshini Mattoos case, where the rapist has been entenced to death, Jessica, and finally Nitish Kataras death, if that finally meets with justice as well, it will complete this triumvirate of cases which had caught the attention of India as those where punishment must be pronounced.
I shudder to envision the despondency of the people in general, had the verdict been in favour of Manu Sharma and the other accused. In contrast therefore the satisfaction of winning a war fought with passion and a sense of righteousness is as if doubled.
This is a victory for the people of India, the media in its most potent avatar so far, as much as the judiciary…there is hope..yet.:)
Update: As expected and commented to Dilip a while back, Manu Sharma has escaped the death penalty and gets a lifer.
Not just he but his accomplices as well have to serve out a jail term. A high profile Ministers son, content in the knowledge of his fathers power, had perhaps misjudged the mood of the public and tempted fate to receive a resounding slap that will teach him and his ilk that crime does not pay ..or that criminals will have to pay for their crimes!
Kaveetaa kaul
Sachiniti 
That Ram Jethmalani owes the public an apology!! where are all his loud statements and twisted comments..a tall sikh gentleman killed her..and god knows what..he was shameful
Comment by Neha — December 19, 2006 @ 12:09 am |
you did your fair bit and you should be proud of it kav
jrkr
Comment by temporal — December 19, 2006 @ 8:43 am |
Hey T Saab..missed you…Thanks
When they interviewed Sabrina yesterday, her first reaction was ‘its like a burden lifted off the shoulders”..which is more or less what was felt by me and others like me who wanted desperately for the culprit to be convicted. Finally, as a citizen, one is relieved in the knowledge and affirmation of the fact, that ‘we count’.
Hi Neha,
Ram Ji has disaapeared..he has refused to give a statement, except through indirect sources that they will appeal in the SC..He is at an age where one would have expected him to be on the side of law and morality, despite his profession and past record..but his swan song has been his undoing.
Comment by kaveetaakaul — December 19, 2006 @ 11:50 am |
Waiting for the quantum of punishment tomorrow!!
Should be awarded death, tho it seems remote since it wasnt pre-meditated. But it has been a victory for people power.
The family had resigned itself to their fate…if it was not for the media and public outrage, he would have got away.
Comment by dilip — December 19, 2006 @ 9:54 pm |
hi Dilip,
Yes..today we’ll know. Though I personally am of the opinion that he should get life..he must live and atone..every minute for the remainder of his days on the planet. Also it was not a well thought out, planned crime, so death may be out..unless the judge would prefer to make an example of the rich and mighty trying to get away with ‘murder’.
Sabrina Lall by her own admission stated that Manus accqittal in february had demolished all their hopes for a penalty ..it was only when the media and people took up the mantle of fighting for justice did the outcome prevail. On her own, all she could/would have done is allow the wheels of justice trample upon ..justice itself.
Comment by kaveetaakaul — December 20, 2006 @ 10:46 am |
ya… red letter day!
nothing really to say… justice mite not be blind afterall, guess ‘she’ just needs a faster mode of transport!
overall- india shines!
Comment by saptarshi — December 20, 2006 @ 2:42 pm |
Oh yes..sapt..India shines!! Unfortunately at the cost of an innocent girls life…but on a positive note..perhaps has saved many more from turning victims of power blind, puffed with ego driven heinous acts
Comment by kaveetaakaul — December 20, 2006 @ 3:31 pm |
This is wonderful for Jessica Lal’s memory…and for closure for her surviving family.. the torture of this injustice upon the family.. is perhaps going to be served her murderer and accomplices?
Definately a great day… and a further example, that India is leaning towards a democratic law/rule which governs all country’s; with respect to female abuse victims.
Absolutely wonderful.. and Kaveetaa–you definately, just by your exposure of journals here on Sanchiniti.. have helped manifest the solidarity needed on a global scale, for changes to become imminent…. well done, crusader of justice for all…
with loving kindness,
North
Comment by North — December 21, 2006 @ 8:51 am |
Hi North, Thanks a ton..you are so kind.
Yes its never happened that a case , this time two, also that of Priyadarshini Mattoo, has been re opened and the culprits who managed to go scot free earlier, have, the second time around, been convicted
The links provided (except the first and last which were news bytes) were posts written by me in fervent appeal to ‘the powers that be’ to take note.This issue has been one which has disturbed me for long and have been following it closely, in the hope that justice will prevail..it has.
Comment by kaveetaakaul — December 21, 2006 @ 9:59 am |
hmmm…. u really are mad at ’em all 🙂
anyway, i dunno if this wud be the end of the road for the bloated ‘male’ ego or if lady justice decided to open her eyes wide… all that is there is life is a bloody test of patience n sometimes u tend to get lucky.
its ust a sham n for the man / woman on the street… killerz on a roll! aint no dream world aint no justice…
pata nehi… no one protests nowadayz, no one wantz to change for better…
india shines… like a bloody indicator of a turning automobile!!
Comment by saptarshi — December 21, 2006 @ 12:58 pm |
Sapt..you make me laugh even when I’m hopping mad 🙂
‘indicator of a turning automobile’..also perhaps an automobile roaring towards a New India..One where the average man is empowered coz he has learnt to respect himself and ask for his rightful due.
I am optimistic on this score..most definitely. I can see the change..it maybe be gradual..yet perceivable. Nothing changes overnight..but one judgement of this kind sets a precedent for others to quote, which is not easily dismissable therfore potent in its ramifications.
Comment by kaveetaakaul — December 21, 2006 @ 1:18 pm |
Kaveetaa… I share in your joy… I’ve read your work in this regard over time. and I stand in front of you now; and I bow.. in your direction.. palms together in human love and solidarity of that human love
–it is a victorious day.. for the balance of human-equality-change is upon us… the value of human life, restored; justice–restored to its grace of might.
with loving kindness,
North
Comment by North — December 22, 2006 @ 10:12 am |
Bless You North!
I would like to tell you ..You are always in my prayers..believe it or not. It would give me great joy and a feeling of fulfillment to hear that your problems are a thing of the past and life has afforded you a newer dimension. Feel positive, let that energy permeate through every pore of your being and most importantly Believe in that One Force that looks after us.
Comment by kaveetaakaul — December 22, 2006 @ 3:36 pm |
smile.. smile for the lorzd above wann u to sumwhere ‘gawds’ of life have never attracted me coz i have seen no divine intervention, for the better-ment of junta!
n the automobile sure is riding the highway… destination uncertain but ya, even i have strapped on the seat belts n looking forward to the alice n the wonderland on the way 🙂
sure times are a changing… ur optimism rubz off!
so watz in the oven for c’mas??
have a great one btw… 🙂
Comment by saptarshi — December 22, 2006 @ 6:42 pm |
A very joyous, bright, Happy xmas to you as well Sapt 🙂
And all the other readers and writers here 🙂
Whats cooking? Trying my hand at plum cake..I’m simply, simply,simply crazy for it. The original plum ..black, and rum and raisiny and plummy..not the artficially flavoured variety,available all over..sigh..its such a feat getting to lay ones hands on the ‘real thing’..not even in Goa..except Brittos.
Comment by kaveetaakaul — December 23, 2006 @ 6:51 pm |
ya… sounds yummy…
its a disturbing year end in West bengal… over the tata motor issue.. u know thye have burnt a girl alive in the wee hours of the morn!! she was protesting the hostile takeover along wit her father n they burnt her in a pit… huh… n therez justice in this world.. dunno, just hell dunno… sumtimes i feel helpless n crazy to be a part of this system n heck!! i aint even changing it man!
i am sending u a mail, a write up… after xmas, do read it… ull know we are all heading down the highway to hell… man, woman, et all… its just lost world!
Comment by saptarshi — December 23, 2006 @ 7:19 pm |
Thankyou Kaveetaa, I wish too, things would change for me.. but they are not…they only worsen at my stage…but, knowing others care about that…is a profound deep, warm comfort.
Merry Christmas Season to you and your readers and all the best, for 2007!!
I posted a delicious cocktail cherry wrapped-chocolate dipped recipe on my blog.. it is for Kings and Queens of sweet-tooths!! I haven’t made it in 3 years, it’s expense for me… but, they are my most delicate dainty I can make, and perfect for special occassions..
with loving kindness,
North
Comment by North — December 23, 2006 @ 7:23 pm |
Sapt..thats absolutely demonic..Why dont you vent here at Sachiniti? Write a separate post and I will post it here and introduce you as my guest writer. This needs as wide an audeience as possible.
Comment by kaveetaakaul — December 23, 2006 @ 7:34 pm |
For the queen of Sachiniti hearts..North!!
A perfect dainty for a loving soul..Merry Christmas.
I sure am gonna take a look at your recipe and if its something I can make shall make it remembering you with every morsel..Cheer up North..Let the witer write His tale..
Comment by kaveetaakaul — December 23, 2006 @ 7:42 pm |
my personal victory too mam! n most essential for my continuance as a patriot// i have been saved from becoming a cynical disillusioned teenager…its too early anyway… hope is alive… it only takes a spark…to get the fire going afterall !!!
Comment by Samridhi — December 24, 2006 @ 4:57 pm |
Hey Samridhi..how have you been baby? missed you..
Theres no way you are gonna turn into a ‘cynical disillusioned teenager’..you are way too sane, realistic and open minded. Reason will prevail..like it has this time.
Look for the spark..the energy which will kindle your spirit..ablaze..always
Comment by kaveetaakaul — December 24, 2006 @ 10:04 pm |
ya…. sum blanks of life aint just filled in!!
have mailed u a scribble on this fiasco… n just abt two dayz back they burnt her alive.. communism, democracy, secularism, gender bias… i dunno where we are heading.. at this moment, i just hope that new year brings in sum zephyr from a different life…
do read the art. i mailed…
n still!!! merry c’mas n with all the cynicism of life n its funny musings, wud wan santa to spread the waves of happiness, like peace on earth n joy in heaven!! keep smiling 🙂
Comment by saptarshi — December 25, 2006 @ 2:14 pm |
Did read the ‘art’ sapt..
It would be nice of you could add in details you have mentioned here..it rounds off the issue in the current perspective and in the seriousness it deserves..It must be highlighted and I would like to do it on Sachiniti..so do write.
Merry Xmas..Must keep smiling 🙂
Comment by kaveetaakaul — December 25, 2006 @ 3:24 pm |
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I liked your site.
Comment by Pat Williams — January 1, 2009 @ 3:14 pm |