After the execution of Yakub Memon many have opined that the Indian media had gone overboard as everything was blown out of proportion and extensive coverage was given to this news. What time Yakub went to bed, colour of the shirt worn by him, how many and who were allowed to see him, whether he ate or not and if he did….what did he. His family’s complete details, post hanging how his body was taken out, when and which aircraft it was loaded onto, what time the aircraft left and then reached Mumbai, when did his body reach his home and then the burial site, and of course in the end how, where and when he was buried. And how many people gathered in the procession, how many police forces were deployed and so on and so forth too.
Several “debates”, special telecast”, non-stop telecast”, special newshour, and so were being aired without any break! We were also bombarded with choicest statements and even abusive ones, from as many political and community leaders and several VIPs who came out to seek ban on his hanging! Even inciting and derogatory statements were made which showed that most of these leaders ignored the nation’s interest lacked patriotism.
On the other hand, the US forces (after ascertaining the hiding place of Osama Bin Laden), just landed in Pakistan, reached the place of Osama, just started pounding the house and him, and at last killed him point blank. They then took his body which was then said to be “buried in the sea” ! After killing Osama nobody protested against this incident in Pakistan. You never saw any wide coverage in the media, no debates and special shows and non-stop telecast, no inflammatory and inciting speeches or statements even by perhaps, the terror-organisation leaders, not even a protest outside the US Embassy. The US came down, achieved their mission, just went off quietly and this incident was forgotten too!
Why only in India we always see a regional, communal or caste color being given to any and every event? Why every case is being ” blatantly politicised” ? Why do our VIPs and leaders not show responsibility, wisdom and maturity to maintain peace but always go overboard and sensationalise issues? Where was the necessity for them to come out in the open to show “sympathy” and file a petition seeking mercy for Yakub? Why those “elite leaders” always rush to make inciting and inflammatory speeches by often referring to religion and community-always? Is it because, India is a “democratic and a “secular” (whatever that means!!) country that one can make blasphemous and severely attacking statements as he or she likes ?
It is high time for all of us – we the people of India, politicians, leaders and every one to stay united and show our patriotism and concern towards our motherland and for the sake of peace, serenity, calmness and progress. Because, the more we spew venom and attack in the name or religion and community, within our own country, against our own people, the more are the chances of attack from the enemy nation, from just across the border! Shouldn’t we therefore, maintain restraint and show unity for our country?
Above all, my fervent appeal to the media (Press and TV channels), to ban special telecast and coverage, debate and so on when it comes to such sensitive cases and volatile situation. Let us see which media or the channel will take the lead and show wisdom and will power to ban such coverage/ telecast in the future.
Krishna Kumar
