Right...

I have very recently entered the world of journalism, and therefore I like to keep myself updated on the happenings around me. I generally read ‘Tehelka’, as I find it giving me information on things mostly missed (an oversight or intentionally, I do not know) by the mainstream media. Also I personally believe that ‘Tehlka’ does ask some basic and fundamental questions, which the mainstream media hell-bent on making a fool out of itself almost always refuses to ask. So, a victim of my habit of getting the most accurate (I think and hope so) or at least the most sensible information, I once again logged on to Tehelka’s official website. The cover story this time was about the case that in my opinion should win the ‘most- blown- out- of- proportion-not- even- that- high- profile- a – case’ award. Yes, you have guessed it right; it’s the Arushi murder case.
When I saw Arushi’s face smiling down at me from the cover picture, I groaned inwardly. My first thought was, Oh no! Not again. I expected better from you ‘Tehelka’. I expected you to give me other important news which is being blatantly ignored by our mainstream. I expected you to tell me about something on Naxalites in Bihar or some other tragedy like the water problems in Bhopal, which are not even considered to be news worthy anymore by our so called national newspapers and news channels. But alas! You have also joined the popular bandwagon and are out with your own theory of the murder.
It’s not like I had any issues with Arushi. Hell, I wasn’t even aware that she existed. That is until a month ago, when suddenly every news channel was talking about the cruel murder of Arushi by everyone and anyone. The way the police was accusing people left- right and center, and the way the media was coming up with its own theory, it seemed like either Arushi was this super-girl and was attacked again and again by the evil lord, as she just didn’t die the first time she was attacked, or else she did die the first time but the father, the compounder, the servant didn’t realize and went again and again to kill her.
If any mainstream media person is reading this, my dear sir, this ridiculous interpretation is what I came up with, from those absolutely ridiculous reports that you, without an iota of evidence or basic common sense put up on your channel.
And by the way, with the entire circus around this case, no one even bothered to talk to her friends or extended family, or ask the police about the three glasses in the drawing room or why didn’t it dust the house or at least her room for finger prints and what the hell was the time of the murder?
All we saw and heard was how she was a characterless girl desperate to sleep around with any goddamm man! “She was found in a compromising position with her servant”; “She used to chat with boys”. Firstly, was anyone present there to see how and with whom she was found in her room? Or was that servant even there in the room to be in a compromising position with her? Secondly, if a 14 year old does not talk with boys or for arguments sake (although no one has any proof) flirt with boys, who will? I mean she was a teenager. And that’s what teenage is all about. Crushes, boy friends, flowers, chocolates, rains, holding hands and blushing furiously if a boy/girl the one you like, even just smiles or turns to look at you. That’s the age when we all have crushes, which are taken so seriously by us, that we think that we are the Romeo’s and Juliet’s of this world. So even if that girl used to flirt or go out with boys, what’s so scandalizing about it? And how the hell is she characterless by doing this, when we all go through this wonderful stage called the teenage?
So, you can understand my exasperation with the whole case. Initially I ignored the article and went ahead to read about other things. However, my curiosity to know what ‘Tehelka’ has to say about this case, got better off me and I clicked on the story. Reading the first paragraph itself made me realize that finally I will know what exactly is the case all about. I shall proudly pronounce that my faith was not shattered, and the feeling of disappointment not allowed to take over me.
I came to know a lot more about the girl Arushi and not just the victim. Her relationship with her parents and friends were explored in a delicate yet detailed manner. Her social life was discussed, but not to malign her, but to add a personality to a mere name. And finally the basic questions were asked and the protectors of justice were called upon for a much needed explanation.
However when I was reading about her father and the relationship she shared with him, I was reminded of my own father. My father loves me and he completely spoils me by fulfilling all my wishes before they are even out of my mouth. He just can’t say no to me, no matter what my demands are. Even if he says no, all I have to do is bring a few tears in my eyes and he simply won’t be able to stand his ground, and say yes immediately.
Arushi’s father according to the report was the same. I then started thinking, how can he have killed her? I know my father won’t even allow a fly to hurt me, let alone he himself being a source of pain. No matter how big a mistake I have committed in his eyes. Then the images of her father being held by the police and all the accusations made on him by the police, media, my very own friends and family, started forming in my head.
I was scared. Scared because it suddenly hit me how quickly we judge people without even giving them a chance to defend themselves? How we always try to put another person, any person in a bad light and stand up as the wiser, morally right and the protectors of justice. How we are so damm insecure that we will try and put absolutely any random person on the slaughter table, without even knowing what their crime is, and persecute them using our weapons of suspicion.
Isn’t it a fact that the middle-class is enjoying itself splashing mud on this family because they will hate it if there is no scandal involved in the case? Because scandal will mean having a person or two who have a dark side to their personality, and then everyone can feel good about their much flaunted morally right and “good” side.
I wonder will we ever be able to get over this insecurity and start accepting things the way they are and looking at situations from all the aspects and in a way that they deserve to be looked at.