The strange reasoning of Mr. Katju

I had always learned that comparisons were made on similar, if not identical, grounds. But, honestly, I never knew what it was like comparing a fish to a bird. Strange, it may seem, but today’s society inclusive of the likes of Justice Markandey Katju, Chairman, Press Council of India have made recent comments seeking similar judgement for two completely different cases. The cases are not only different in terms of parameters, circumstances surrounding the crime, but also the nature of the crime itself. By comparing Sanjay Dutt’s case (accused of hoarding arms and ammunition for the purpose of abetment of terrorism, but convicted of keeping in his possession, unlicensed prohibited weapons) with Commander Nanavati’s case (culpable homicide amounting to murder), Mr. Katju has shown scant knowledge of the law and disregard for our jurisdiction that has continuously laid emphasis on the principle that the law of the land has meager regard for social status and that justice is a matter of right, not of privilege. Further, Mr. Katju pointed out that through his films Sanjay Dutt had revived the memory of Mahatma Gandhi and the message of Gandhiji, an apparent reference to “Gandhigiri” in Munnabhai films. (See http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/katju-seeks-pardon-for-actor/article4536344.ece for more) But, had not Sanjay Dutt done films like Agneepath, where he had played the role of the much-hated Kanch Cheena? Can the role done a person in films be considered as enough material for judgment of his true character? Is not there a considerable difference in reel life and real life, although reel life is an exaggerated manifestation of our imagination and inspired from characters of actual life? Munnabhai was a character portrayed with the same ease and fervour as Kancha Cheena. So the plea regarding grant of mercy to a person based on his cinematic experience would not only be a mockery of reasonable behavior and travesty of equity before law but also a grave injustice and pain caused to families of victims of the blasts that rocked the country back in 1993.

The judgment has already come in too late, thus, hurting the common man’s sentiments more than ever and rooting in a feeling of vexation against the existing hierarchy in our judiciary.

It is my sincere request to Mr. Katju to stop quoting the speech of Portia in Shakespear’s Merchant of Venice as he had already done that before in a letter to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari requesting grant of pardon to Sarabjit Singh (http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/justice-katju-pakistan-zardari-sarabjit-singh/1/183943.html).  

Mr. Dutt, if literate, educated, and conscientious would have surely known about the famous saying by the Father of the Nation:

There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts. - Mahatma Gandhi

Sanjay Dutt, tweeting about his shoot of Policegiri, gives a feeling that he can take the people for a ride with his comments (soaked in emotions) and create a positive image for himself in the minds of the people who look upon actors as demi Gods and creations of divine intervention.