How huge crowd at Mukhtar Ansari funeral is comparable to BJP's 'people's court' talk

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*

The massive crowd at the funeral of Mukhtar Ansari in Mohammadabad reflects the power and influence that his family wields in the area. One can't deny that he had enormous power in Ghazipur and Mau districts. But the crowd that came and chanted slogans in his favour does not exonerate him of his conviction by the court. It is important that we understand this.

Netas always claim that for them 'janta kee adalat' or 'people's court' is more important. Remember, how Kalyan Singh when accused of dereliction of duty in the Babri Mosque demolition case again and again said that for him 'Lord Ram's court' was bigger and more important than the Supreme Court?

The points related to Mukhtar Ansari are two.

One, he was an undertrial in many cases, and secondly, he was also a convict in some other cases. But the crowd of four lakh people at the venue does not absolve him from his crimes and makes him a saint. It is same as what BJP is trying to do. Lal Krishna Advani has been an accused by CBI in the Babri Mosque demolition case, yet on March 31 he received Bharat Ratna from the President of India, who went to his house in person.

Whether it is Atik Ahmed or Mukhtar Ansari, or for that matter Vikas Dube, the job of the government and police was to ensure their protection as per the law. They would have been sentenced by the courts. The police cannot be allowed to become the judge. Whatever the reason for Mukhtar Ansari's death, the fact is, those are making him a great champion, and others who consider him a villain, are actually part of the same thought process and are hypocrites.

Gathering of large number of people is not and should not be a reflection of one's 'greatness'. Many great people did not find people to stand with them. Public come to you because of various purposes. Many felt Mukhtar Ansari was the only 'resisting' Muslim leader, others felt he was helpful to them.

Hasn't one heard the stories of big mafias helping the 'poor'? Right from Veerappan to Atik Ahmed to those in Chambal, there are stories around their humane aspect. Some became mafias to protect their empire while other because they were victims of circumstances. The network of these groups is often more powerful than any internet network. They minutely observe activities of their opponents as well their supporters. When they have power, they challenge anyone who dares de fy them.

The question here is not about the great family of Mukhtar Ansari, which truly was, but that he was convicted for cases of murder, hence he should be judged not for who his father was but what his activities have been.

Be that as it may, the rule of law must be followed. The death in police or judicial custody is a serious crime and must be impartially investigated. For the state government, it is important that it must act fast on Hindu, including savarna, mafias, who are now part of the Hindutva structure.

Let the law be used impartially against all. The day law is not differentiated on the basis of caste and religious identity, life will become better. But as long as the law of the land is not used impartially, the result would be -- my mafia is your villain, and your mafia is my villain.

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*Human rights defender

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