30.9.12

ஏன் என்ற கேள்வி...

என் பெயர் கான், ஆனால் நான் பயங்கரவாதியல்ல’ என்ற ஷாருக்கான் பட தலைப்பை, உச்சநீதிமன்றம் தனது தீர்ப்பில் குறிப்பிட அது, தலைப்புச் செய்தியானது. அந்த செய்தியில் மதுரை மூத்த வழக்குரைஞர் ஒருவரின் மனதில் கடந்த ஒரு வருடமாக பொங்கிக் கொண்டிருந்த உணர்ச்சிகளை தட்டியெழுப்பி, பத்திரிக்கையில் அதனை கொட்டி விட்டார். இந்துவில் வந்த செய்தியினை இந்த சுட்டியில் காணலாம்.

தொடர்ந்து நான் ‘தி ஹிந்து’விற்கு ஒரு கடிதம் எழுதியுள்ளேன். அதனை ஹிந்துவில் வெளியிடுவார்களா என்பது தெரியாது. எனவே, அதன் நகல் இங்கே எனது பதிவில். விளக்கமாக மற்றொரு பதிவும் எழுத விருப்பம் உள்ளது.

Dear Editor,

The outbursts of Mr.Ajmal Khan, Senior Advocate, stirred by the recent observations made by the Supreme Court, quoting a film title are too important to be ignored. May be Mr.Khan’s claims appear to defy reason, emotional or that statistics can be rolled out to institute that there is adequate representation of muslims but the context of what he has propounded, if understood properly would reveal the ‘Khan syndrome’ exist in our mindset.

Mr.Khan, is known as a man of deep religious faith but his sense of charity not stopped with something associated with his religion, which this author can vouchsafe for. However, the ‘deep’ religious faith to be taken as a ground to conclude that one’s elevation would be threat to the security of our nation is too far fetched and leaving an impression, whether it is appropriate to leave the job of securing the integrity of this country of One billion in the hands of a Bureau, which ironically named itself as an Intelligence Bureau.

Mr.Khan, without any legal background inched his way into what he is today. With a soft spoken approach, has endeared himself to all the Judges of our High Court and legal fraternity. His professional integrity and honesty is second to none. Except tax matters, he has a fund of knowledge and experience in handling cases in all branches of law. He arguably having the maximum number of Juniors in Madurai High Court and the number of his appearances before Court is a matter of envy. Above all he lead the Madurai High Court Advocate’s Association for more than two consecutive terms. What else one needs to be qualified to adorn the chair of a Judge.

Mr.Khan was chosen by the Judges of our High Court, whom had the privilege to closely watch his conduct, knowledge and temperament. When the Collegium of Supreme Court has a doubt, it is in the fairness of things that it ought to have consulted the Collegium of our High Court, even informally, considering the seriousness of the matter. This is not an election of Pope but the selection of a Judge of a Democratic country, where there cannot be any room for arbitrariness.

However neither the case of Mr.Ajmal Khan is in isolation nor his outbursts are unprecedented. One of the finest Judges of our time Justice A.P.Shah was similarly insulted and expressed openly that he was ‘hurt’. A search in the internet would establish how Jurists are unanimous in their opinion that the best of the talents are neglected very often. Though we claim to live in a Democratic Republic, the people of this country are denied the knowledge on why Justice A.P.Shah was made to retire ‘hurt’ and why Mr.Ajmal Khan was dropped ‘unfit’ 

Perhaps we may know the reason in the future till then, let us relish the juicy gossips, flying thick in the corridors of the Court Halls!

G.Prabhu Rajadurai
Advocate