Hindustan Times
Our Maoist citizens
Do Maoists, who have declared as their objective the overthrow of the Indian state and its Constitution, have the right to seek protection under the same Constitution?
This question came to my mind following two statements from Maoist leaders this week. Kobad Ghandy, a Politburo member arrested recently in Delhi, complained that he was detained “illegally” for two days before the police recorded his arrest. Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji, another Politburo member who has been giving sound bytes on every occasion from his hideout, told Hindustan Times on Friday that he was a “patriotic citizen of India”. Reacting to Indian Air Force’s intent to open fire at Maoist attackers, Kishenji said, “No air force in the world fires at its own citizens.”
Both statements appeared a bit strange to me. Does Ghandy have the right to invoke the laws of a state that he has sworn to overthrow? Can Kishenji claim citizenship rights that his party says are all frauds thought up by capitalist bloodsuckers?
It’s part of the Maoists’ tactics to use all tools of a democratic state and society to further their cause, though they deride the system. Maoists ‘use’ the judiciary, the law, the civil society and the media to advance their agenda.
Should the state allow this to happen?
The answer: YES. Maoists can kill people. But the state cannot and should not, unless by a due legal process or when law enforcement makes it unavoidable. Even for Ajmal Kasab, the same logic applies. He may have killed innocents, but he can be punished only as per the law of the land.
Ghandy and Kishenji reminded me of the beauty of our democracy yet again this week.
I am also glad to learn about how the Rajasthan government filed charges against some jail officials for beating up terror suspects who wanted to pray on Eid.
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...Posted by Varghese K George on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Filed under Policy and Politics · Tagged Add new tag, Ajmal Kasab, citizenship, civil society, Constitution, Delhi, democratic state, eid, Indian state, judiciary, Kishenji, Koteshwar Rao, Maoists, media, overthrow, Politburo member, Rajasthan government, terror suspects
Hi Varghese,
You seem to be a common men man. Can you tell me where to reach for public grievences.
I feel frustrated not to reach out to the right people for the right cause.
Help me pls
[Reply]