(Image courtesy: The Hindu, Dinamalar)
Afghanistan? Iraq? Pakistan perhaps? One could be forgiven for linking these violent images to the usual trouble spots. These scenes of lawlessness unfolded within the premises of the high court in the heart of Chennai, Tamil Nadu on Thursday, Feb 19th. Lawyers and the police were engaged in a frenzied battle against each other, breaking the very law and order that they are expected to safeguard.
These lawyers were waging a legal battle of a different kind, outside the confines of the court room. They were "appearing" for their colleagues who were arrested for having earlier attacked a local politician, again, within the court complex. The cops had to resort to lathi charge and firing tear gas shells to check the surging lawyer brigade. In the melee, the cops were also seen breaking the windows of cars parked nearby and hurling verbal abuses and venting their anger at the men of law. For the second day running, there have been multiple cases of violence resulting in bloodshed, burnt vehicles and arrested lawyers across the state.
The Hindu reports that the hospitalized Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, who also holds the Home portfolio, is willing to come and meet the acting Chief Justice, "even in an ambulance" to seek suggestions from the judge "to contain the violence and ensure that justice was done and peace restored." It is indeed a sorry state of affairs that the Home Minister lacks what it takes to handle law and order situations in the state!
The legal community, long since polluted by politics, has stooped to a new low with this. The last bit of respect that a few might have had for this profession must have now been blown to smithereens. This fiasco has resulted in the closure of the high court on Friday. As these men of law recover from their bruises and soreness, thay can ponder on:
நெஞ்சு பொறுக்குதில்லையே இந்த நிலை கெட்ட மாந்தரை நினைத்து விட்டால் - Subramanya Bharathi
True - nenju porukkudillai - that two representatives of the law behave thus...
ReplyDeleteMan, I was totally not expecting a melodramatic climax. That touch of Bharathi, very very unlike you.
ReplyDeleteLawyers in Chennai are now dime a dozen, just like engineering graduates. Donning the black coat doesn't equate to having a job or making money. And when you can't earn a decent living you resort to violence, as in any part of the world. Although there's a heavy political/religious connotation to this incident, the real issue is to focus on producing credible intelligent lawyers and subsequently an efficient non-partisan judiciary. Well, that was a sweet little dream!
Prasad,
ReplyDeleteMelodramatic climax - post or the issue?
I think the lack of decent earning doesn't always lead to violence. We don't see rioting farmers, weavers, etc.
I think the strong political influence (Dravidian flavor) in this profession has led to the rot.
I realize that my explanation was overly simplistic, though I don't back off from my theory. Will post my thoughts on it later.
ReplyDelete