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Journalism of Courage
I am aware of the controversy that has been raised by some people after my acquittal. I am dismayed by the statements made against me by some people, including Express columnist Kuldip Nayar 8216;Spoilers in the peace process8217;, IE, November 4, who are expected to display much greater understanding, compassion and knowledge of criminal law and the judicial process.
I maintain that I am innocent and I was maliciously framed. In order to describe the kind of indignity and torture that was practiced on me during the course of the investigation and during my detention in prison I would have to write a small volume. Some day I might speak about it.
I did not believe that I will get justice in the high court but I am glad I was wrong and I shall remain eternally grateful to the two high court judges who got over the public prejudices and did not allow their minds to be influenced by pernicious propaganda.
I thank all those who helped to establish my innocence. I will return this favour by dedicating myself to establishing communal harmony, peace and justice in the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir. I will try to forget and forgive what I have suffered.
8212; S.A.R. Geelani, New Delhi
Transparency, please
This refers to your report 8216;Corps commander gets marching orders over 8216;misconduct8217;8217; IE, November 4. It is strange that the army thinks it does not owe the people an explanation. If India is so proud of its democracy let8217;s make it a functioning one. Whenever a public servant as senior as a corps commander is removed from office or in the civilian sector the government must come out openly and state the reasons so that the people can make up their own mind as to what is going on in the country8217;s defence services. The press must come out with details of the case, as is its duty, rather than bland pieces of clerical information.
8212; Arvind K. Mathur, On e-mail
A new Russia?
Is a new autocratic Russia emerging? The arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, boss of Russia8217;s largest oil company, Yukos, has raised questions about the future of free enterprise and democracy in Russia. It has highlighted the tensions between big businessmen, the so-called oligarchs, and the Kremlin. Critics see the arrest of Khodorkovsky as an attempt by the Kremlin to strike back at the tycoon for funding Opposition parties ahead of next month8217;s parliamentary elections.
Is a new autocratic Russia emerging? If so, does this have consequences for the rest of the world?
8212; Deepak K. Vidhyarthi, On e-mail
