GOOD ASSASSIN

Wihin a week of Dhananjoy Chaterjee's hanging, the Supreme Court commutes a convict's death sentence to life imprisonment. The crime was the same, that of rape and murder, but perhaps more ghastly because the victim here was only four years old.

Now, think about it. This convict's suffering is minimal compared to Dhananjoy. He had not spent fourteen years in the condemned cell. But he seems to come of a rich family, and moved on from one court to other with expert help from his able pleaders.

He was no pariah. The judges heard him, and granted his prayer.

Poor Dhananjoy! Only moments before his hanging he bemoaned that he was denied justice becuase he was poor.

In this judgement, the Supreme court does not only act in a partisan manner, but also gets us to believe that there are two categories of assassins, good and bad, based on their economic background.
MRINAL BOSE

STATE AS KILLER

Only one day before India's independence day, the state hangs a 40-year-old amid surges of protests across many of its cities.

The convict's crime was heinous, but he had already been in a condemned cell almost for fourteen years awaiting the execution. Under such peculiar circumstances, the convict's family and many human rights' bodies approached the highest judiciary, even the President A.P.J Abdul Kalam for commuting the capital punishment to imprisonment for life.

One had pinned some hope on the President who had, thanks to Indian media,a kind of sage-like image. But he also rejected the appeal. Proving that as a person, he was no different. It's just as naive to expect anything seminal from him.

But the rulers, especially of West Bengal, had a taste of the widespread protests from people who rallied around the jail at late hours of night, braving the police cordon, with placards and festoons, and shouting against hanging. They lit candles till the execution.

Ther's still hope for the mankind.
MRINAL BOSE

CIVILIZATION & PORN

Salman Rushdie has drpped another bombshell. A free and civilized society, he says, is judged by its willingness to accept pornography.

What he means is that civilization is directly linked to permissiveness it allows. But it seems too simplistic, and takes a lopsided view of civilization.

Consider India, for example. It has become far more permissive these days. One can have easy access to sex - direct and indirect, and nobody is raising eyebrow for that. Viewing blue film on video is a common enogh entertainment here, and internet chatting is coming of age. Besides, you see sex divas everywhere in different shapes and dresses.

Now take into account the fall-out of this permissiveness. Not a day passes without an incident of ghastly rape being reported in media. You hear about more paedophalia cases now. One experiences more sex-related violence now. If you're not already sick of all these, it's definitely not wholesome. In fact, it drags down the civilization to lower depths.
MRINAL BOSE

WOOING FUNDAMENTALISTS

If you think a fundamentalist is always hated, you're wrong. In these times, he can even be feted by the mightiest of powers.

This year, seven Kolkata Muslim clerics have found place in International Visitors' programme hosted by - guess who - the American Embassy, according to The Statesman, a premier Kolkata English daily. They will be taken on a tour to different American cities along with an assorted group of academicians, polticos, and mediamen.

Does it herald any change in the policy of Mr. Bush who once wanted to "smoke them out"? Does the big power, apparently cowering under threats from the terrorists, want to win over the Muslim fanatics now?

MRINAL BOSE