चेन्नई में इन्फोसिस की एक कर्मचारी स्वाति की जघन्य हत्या के मामले में जो संदिग्ध गिरफ्तार हुआ, उसका नाम राम कुमार है। यह शुरू में साफ कर देना इसलिए जरूरी है कि इस मसले पर जिस तरह की प्रतिक्रिया सामने आई, वह एक खास राजनीतिक माहौल से पैदा हुई एक ऐसी जटिलता है, जिसका खमियाजा समाज को लंबे समय तक भुगतना पड़ सकता है।

कुछ समय पहले स्वाति की हत्या के दो दिन बाद एक अनजान हिंदू दक्षिणपंथी वेबसाइट ने 'चेन्नई लव-जिहाद के अन्य पीड़ितों को आतंकित करने के लिए इन्फोसिस की लड़की की आइएसआइएस की तर्ज पर क्रूर हत्या' शीर्षक से एक लेख छापा। कोई सबूत पेश किए बगैर इस रिपोर्ट में यह दावा किया गया कि यह हत्या 'लव-जिहाद' का मामला है।

आमतौर पर सांप्रदायिकता और कोरी अफवाह से लैस इस किस्म की रिपोर्टों की जगह कूड़ेदान में होनी चाहिए। लेकिन इस बार ऐसा नहीं हुआ। इस लेख के छपने के कुछ ही घंटों के के भीतर दक्षिणपंथी हिंदू समर्थक इंटरनेट पर ऑनलाइन सक्रिय हो गए और साजिश संबंधी अपने-अपने कयासों के साथ इसे व्यापक रूप से साझा किया। इस रिपोर्ट में कथित 'लव जिहाद' का संदर्भ देते हुए हिंदुओं की दयनीय दशा का जिक्र किया गया और उन्हें पीड़ित की शक्ल में चित्रित किया गया। इससे प्रेरित होकर कई अन्य हिंदू दक्षिणपंथी वेबसाइटों ने मामले को अपने हिसाब से रंग देना शुरू किया और बिना किसी मजबूत आधार के उत्तेजक शीर्षकों के साथ लेख छापे। मसलन- 'क्या इन्फोसिस की कर्मचारी स्वाति की हत्या एक लव जिहादी ने की'? हिंदू कट्टरपंथियों की जमात में यह मान लिया गया कि स्वाति की हत्या एक मुसलमान ने की और स्वाति चूंकि ब्राह्मण थी, इसलिए द्रविड़-बहुल तमिलनाडु ने किसी ने भी उसकी खोज-खबर लेना जरूरी नहीं समझा।

इस किस्म की आधारहीन धारणा का आलम यह था कि ब्राह्मण जाति के उच्च वर्ग से ताल्लुक रखने वाले लोकप्रिय हास्य अभिनेता वाई जी महेंद्रा ने भी इस घटना से संबंधित वाट्स-ऐप के एक मैसेज को फेसबुक पर एक पोस्ट के रूप में डाल दिया।

इस मामले में विडंबना यह है कि पूरी तरह से अपुष्ट होने के बावजूद हत्यारे को मुसलमान बताया जाता रहा और मृतक की जाति का उल्लेख करते हुए जाति के आधार पर पहचान की संस्कृति पर लानत भेजी गई। इस बात को लेकर भी हल्ला मचाया गया कि मीडिया ने इस घटना की अनदेखी की। जबकि यह बात पूरी तरह से झूठ है। अखबारों के मुख्य पृष्ठ और राष्ट्रीय समाचार चैनलों पर इस घटना का पर्याप्त जिक्र हुआ।

और जब इस किस्म के दावों की झूठ सामने आने लगी तो यह कहा जाने लगा कि आप हत्यारे के बारे में क्यों नहीं बात कर रहे। क्या इसलिए कि वह एक मुसलमान है? यह सब उस समय हो रहा था, जब चेन्नई पुलिस तक हत्यारे को लेकर मुतमइन नहीं थी, जैसा कि बाद में सामने आया भी।

जब हत्या के संदिग्ध को गिरफ्तार किया गया तो उसका नाम रामकुमार निकला। अब जाति और धर्म के नाम पर चलाए गए अभियान के बारे में क्या कहा जाएगा और इस अभियान से नुकसान हुआ, उसकी भरपाई कैसे की जाएगी।
लेकिन इस बीच इन्हीं अफवाहों से उत्तेजित होकर ब्राह्मण संगठन भी इस विवाद में कूदे और अंधानार मुनेत्र कड़गम के सदस्यों ने मृतक के माता-पिता से मुलाकात की और मीडिया को बाकायदा इसके लिए आमंत्रित भी किया गया। उन्होंने एक प्रेस-विज्ञप्ति भी जारी की, जिसमें कहा गया कि कैसे एक निर्दोष ब्राह्मण लड़की की अनुचित तरीके से अज्ञात व्यक्ति द्वारा हत्या कर दी गई। उन्होंने सरकार से ब्राह्मण महिलाओं की सुरक्षा का व्यापक प्रबंध करने की मांग की। मजेदार यह है कि इसमें लोगों को हत्या के मामले में जाति-धर्म के बारे में बात करने से बचने की सलाह दी गई। डीएमके नेता एमके स्टालिन ने भी मृतक के परिवार से मुलाकात की।

यह सच है कि देश के दूसरे हिस्सों की तरह संख्या के आधार पर तमिलनाडु में भी ब्राह्मण अल्पसंख्यक हैं और उनकी राजनीतिक शक्ति सीमित है। इसके बावजूद एक समुदाय के रूप में मध्यम वर्ग अपने असुरक्षाबोध को जाहिर करता रहता है। लेकिन सवाल है कि वे अपनी पीड़ा और कम प्रतिनिधित्व के लिए दूसरे समुदायों पर आरोप क्यों लगाते हैं?

हत्यारे की पहचान को लेकर हम सब अंधेरे में थे। वह कोई भी हो सकता था। लेकिन गिरफ्तारी के बाद सबकी आंखें खुल जानी चाहिए। जो हो, लेकिन देश की वर्तमान राजनीतिक परिदृश्य और तमिलनाडु की राजनीति के इतिहास के मद्देनजर हिंदू ब्राह्मणों के लिए मुसलमानों पर उंगली उठाना अनुचित है।

इसमें कोई दो राय नहीं है कि मध्यवर्ग में इस घटना को लेकर आए उबाल की वजह से इस तरफ लोगों का ध्यान गया। मद्रास उच्च न्यायालय ने सावधानी बरतते हुए पुलिस को कार्रवाई करने को कहा था। लेकिन सच यह है कि इस मामले में तथ्यों के साथ छेड़छाड़ और सांप्रदायिक अफवाह फैला कर एक खतरनाक कदम बढ़ा दिया गया है।
 

The post अफवाहबाज सियासत से खोखला होता देश appeared first on SabrangIndia.

From one of the first headlines after Swathi’s murder speculating about a love affair, to rumour mongering on social media about the religious identity of the murder, the case has stirred a debate on media coverage of sensitive issues, especially gender violence. As part of our #TalkSafety campaign, we interviewed senior journalist and NWMI member, Ammu Joseph, on what good media coverage should look like in such a case

There is a lot of speculation in the Swathi murder case, about her relationships, about her character, about her murder, and the motive for the crime. While both mainstream and social media are doing it, a lot of it is driven by some right wing websites that are coming up with 'theories'. How does all this affect public perception, and how does it affect the case itself?
Speculation appears to have become the order of the day in journalism in recent times.  High profile television news anchors are often seen pushing and prodding panelists to speculate about the breaking news of the day, whatever it may be, apparently unconcerned about whether or not there is any factual basis to their comments and statements. With social media increasingly influencing – if not determining – the professional news agenda, the pressure on journalists to keep up with – if not surpass – trending rumours and amateur hypotheses is all the greater.  When a young woman is involved in a shocking event imaginations evidently go wild.  Add caste or communal prejudice to the mix and the story turns into a crusade that has almost nothing to do with the actual event. 

So it is not surprising that much of the reporting on the brutal, gruesome murder of S. Swathi in a public place is based on salacious conjecture, with some gratuitous references to jihad thrown in for good measure. But that doesn’t make the attempt to pass off speculation as journalism any less reprehensible.

One persistent problem is the tendency to confuse “the public interest” (which is supposed to guide ethical journalism) with “what interests the public.”  Gossip does interest much of the public but is it in the public interest for news organisations to purvey hearsay as fact?  

Almost every list of principles or guidelines on ethical journalism mentions the importance of respecting privacy and human dignity, minimising harm, and being sensitive to the needs and interests of the community/society/public.  Among the five core principles of journalism promoted by the Ethical Journalism Network is humanity:  “Journalists should do no harm. What we publish or broadcast may be hurtful, but we should be aware of the impact of our words and images on the lives of others.” The discipline of verification, which includes fact-checking, are also essential aspects of responsible journalism.
There is little evidence of any of this in much of the reporting on the Swathi case.  Take, for example, the Deccan Chronicle report on the day after the murder. The speculation in the headline  – “Relationship issue led to murder of Chennai Infosys techie in 6 minutes?” – is not even based on any assertion, let alone fact, anywhere in the text. The first sentence begins with an assumption – “In what is suspected to be a crime of passion involving a stalker…” – but not one that is subsequently substantiated or in any way justifies the headline:  surely stalking (if indeed there was any) does not amount to a relationship?

Do you see any difference in the way this case is being handled by the media, versus other cases of gender violence in recent times? There seems to be some restraint in what pictures are used and how the family is approached…
I don’t see much difference, although it is certainly a good thing that the media seem to have refrained from publishing gory photographs and harassing family members.  I remember writing about media coverage of the murder and possible rape of a young woman working in a company located in the Sipcot Information Technology Park in Siruseri, on the outskirts of Chennai, a couple of years ago – speculation, invasion of privacy, etc., were very much present then.

A few days ago, the death of a pioneering woman taxi driver in Bangalore, who was also an active member of the city’s LGBT community, gave rise to similar, unnecessary speculation at least in certain quarters.  For example, the Deccan Chronicle headline – “Affair gone sour: Bengaluru's first woman cab driver ends life” – was evidently based on statements from anonymous sources even though a named friend apparently “rubbished reports that Bharathi's broken relationship was the sole reason for the suicide.”  However, it was encouraging to note that the Huffington Post report was not only more sober and factual, but it included a box with the contact numbers of available helplines for anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or attempts. 

This reminded me of a piece I read by an American crime reporter, which described the tough job of a crime reporter and highlighted the importance of “telling the stories of pain and sorrow that come with the beat.” According to her, “Every day you think, ‘Maybe this story will convince someone to reach out to a friend or co-worker in need. Maybe this will move a woman to leave a violent relationship, a drug addict to seek help, or a rape victim to come forward. Maybe it will lead someone to come forward with information about who committed this horrible crime.’ Good stories really can make a difference. And that is why no matter how horrible the crime, no matter how sad, reporters can't stop writing these stories. Stories change lives, they give voices to the voiceless and, most importantly, they remind all of us of our humanity.”  She wrote that she hoped “most journalists are similarly motivated, and that they are not covering crime stories because they are ‘cheap and easy’ to tell.” I suppose that’s something crime reporters need to ask themselves:  what is the purpose of telling these stories?

A lot of media discourse is centred on lack of CCTV cameras at the station, and the lack of police personnel at the time of the murder. How can media talk critically about safety in such a case, without dumbing down the issue?
The focus on CCTV cameras and policing has become routine even though, as I keep pointing out, it’s a rare crime – at least in India – that has been solved thanks to CCTV footage.  In fact, in the one case in Bangalore in which the perpetrator was clearly caught on camera (attacking a woman in an ATM kiosk) he was still at large two years later and remains so, as far as I know.  It is obviously impossible for the police to be everywhere in our huge, densely populated cities, let alone rural areas.  To really address issues of safety the media need to turn to experts and figure out what, if anything, can make a difference.
In this case – and many others – the apathy and reluctance to get involved of the general public is also a factor to be seriously explored.  Of course, here the attack was evidently sudden and quick, but surely some people could have tried to catch the man as he walked or even ran away on the tracks?  And surely it was wrong to leave the girl lying bleeding on the platform instead of trying to save her life by either announcing for a doctor on the spot or quickly shifting her to the nearest hospital (if the station had no medical facilities)?

In the coverage of gender violence in general, what are the changes you would like to see, and what are the trends you don't want to see anymore?
A series of cases of sexual violence in 2012-13 sparked off a debate among journalists themselves on issues concerning media coverage of sexual violence in general, and rape in particular. The introspection has led to several attempts—by journalists or with their involvement—to evolve practical dos and don’ts that recognize the realities of reporting news in an ever more competitive media environment, but seek to promote ethical practice despite the undeniable, disagreeable pressures that most journalists, especially reporters, have to reckon with.  However, these dealt mainly with the media’s sins of commission.  I think the equally critical sins of omission need to receive more attention in the interests of justice in general, gender justice in particular and, ultimately, the necessary decline in the prevalence of such violence.  I’ve outlined some of these in my article on reporting rape (mentioned and linked above).  They could perhaps be applied (with some modification) to other forms of gender violence.

Lastly, the 'Five Simple Rules for Reporting Gender Violence' were formulated by journalists at a Prajnya workshop you led. Would you like to say something about how these media guidelines might be used when such an incident takes place?
I think such guidelines are important and need to be more widely circulated and discussed, both in journalism schools and media workplaces.  But what is more important if they are to serve any practical purpose is that issues of journalistic standards and ethics need to be more widely recognised and accepted as critical professional matters.  And, of course, ethical practice needs to be actively encouraged and advocated by editors and other media decision-makers.  At the moment these questions seem to be seen as peripheral to the main business of media coverage.

The other day, while talking to a young man pursuing a media degree from a well-known Indian university, I asked about the courses he had taken during his first year in the course. He mentioned one on media ethics and I asked him for more details.  It turned out that the course material used for this one-semester course comprised notes put together by the teacher.  I mentioned a book and some websites on the subject that he could perhaps take a look at.  Pat came the answer:  “Oh, but that course is over.”  I smiled and said sure, but you will continue to encounter ethical issues as you go along.  I don’t know if he was convinced.  But I do believe it is very important for ethics to be made central to media education and practice.  Only then will journalists be able to internalise a sense of ethics and recognise the ethical questions and dilemmas involved in various aspects of their work.  Only then will they think of remembering and consulting such guidelines in the course of their work.

This article is a part of a collaborative effort between The News Minute, Prajnya and PCVC to raise awareness about gender violence.

Prajnya is a non-profit centre for research, public education and networking on women's rights. gender violence, and women's history.

The International Foundation for Crime Prevention and Victim Care (PCVC) is a non-profit organization that was set up in response to a need for a support agency for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Our services include crisis management, legal advocacy, support and resource services.

Courtesy: TheNewsMinute.com
 

The post Swathi’s murder and media: We must not confuse public interest with what interests the public appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Five days after Swathi, an Infosys employee was brutally murdered at Chennai’s Nungambakkam station, her sister Nithya, has written an open letter to counter false claims and dispel rumours about Swathi that are doing the rounds on social media. On June 24, Swathi, an Infosys employee was brutally murdered at Chennai’s bustling Nungambakkam station, four days later no arrests have been made.

Here is the full text of the open letter by Swathi's sister:
“Well, I know, I can’t clear or clarify all the speculations raised against Swathi. As her elder sister, I thought I will share some facts about her. She was such a childish, soft-spoken, God fearing, semi-traditional, bubbly and poised girl. 

“She did not step out of the house without reading Sundharakandam, Thadipanjagam and putting Acharyan archadhai in her head (sacred rice). While commuting to the office by train, she regularly listened to Vishnu Sahasaranamam. 

“As her office is on the way to Singaperumal temple, she often visited Narasimhar temple and also our Acharya Mudaliandan Swamigal in Thirumaligai. While returning home she didn't fail to visit Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Choolaimedu. 

“Born in Srirangam and raised in Chennai as per the Iyengar traditional values and beliefs, and as a family, we love travelling and have visited many temples, without compromising on tourists’ spots. The last trip with her was to Masinagudi where we got lost in the middle of wilderness and nature. 

“She loved nature and had done a couple of treks including one to Mukurthi peak. She was very attached to the family, both direct and extended. Her friend’s circle was very limited and didn’t entertain any unnecessary drama. 

“Having said this, it is really shocking to see the speculation about her. I also request public not to create any new posts in her name or for her as it might add to the existing speculation and confusion with regard to the case.
“It would be great if people can stop speculating and start praying for her. All I request is for a permanent solution for such unfortunate incidents to prevent them from recurring. Let us not unnecessarily tarnish the image and the character of the unfortunate departed soul. Let us not allow the #spiritofchennai to die.

“For some unknown reason, no one came to her rescue, but let this pass. Going forward, let us take an oath in our own little way to help one another. Also, I want to remind the public that it isn’t only the responsibility of the government or the officials’ duties to safeguard the country and the citizens.

“It is everyone's responsibility to take care of ourselves, others and the country. Together we can achieve a lot. I am very sure this incident is going to bring a change in each of us. Proud to be an Indian and always love Chennai. Jai Hind.”

Meanwhile there are aspects to this tragedy that reveal not just where ‘social media’ goes with such crimes but what we actually need to ponder about
The News Minute carried a special report on the safety of Chennai local train stations at night?

Watch the video here:       

This report stated:
Many anti-social elements also use the stations at night, posing a threat to travellers. Days after a 24-year-old woman was hacked to death in broad daylight at the Nungambakkam railway station, The News Minute decided to do a reality check of Chennai’s public transport system. We chose to ride the MRTS line at 8 pm on Tuesday.

Despite being only 20-years-old and having amenities such as escalators and lifts in several stations, the patronage for the MRTS is low. Unlike Chennai’s suburban railways, which have a million commuters every day, India’s first elevated line sees an average of only one lakh riders.  

We decided to start at the Indira Nagar station. Located along the IT corridor, the station is one stop away from Tidel Park. People hovered at the entrance to the station, taking shelter from the rain. What struck me as I entered the station was the sheer size of the station, which was built for bigger crowds. There were no queues at the ticket counter.  

On purchasing the tickets, we headed to the mezzanine floor, vast and empty, serving no purpose.  

The two platforms had a handful of commuters at around 8 pm, who were heading home after a long day at work. A lone security personnel manned one corner of one platform. He was responsible for keeping watch of the other platform too. My colleague Pheba, who regularly uses the MRTS, noted that the policeman on duty appeared to be a new security measure, perhaps, in the wake of the recent murder.

From Indira Nagar, we took the train to Kotturpuram. We got into the general compartment. There was no security present. While many seats on the coach were occupied, the train was far from running full.  

At Kottupuram, we made our way down to station. Much like Indira Nagar, this station too was deserted. Like many other stations, Kottupuram has two entrances/exits.  In a move to monitor crowds, there were plans to have single entry and exit points. But this remains only on paper. There are no security personnel at the station, barring the platform. None of the stations have CCTV cameras or metal detectors. 

After dark, many destitute people use the stations to sleep in. What’s more worrying is that many anti-social elements also use the stations at night, posing a threat to travellers.

The next stop was Chepauk, near the MA Chidambaram cricket stadium. Although there were definitely more people, the station itself was a picture of neglect. Escalators weren’t functional; tiles were dug up from the floors, large steel columns lay haphazardly inside the station. Water pooled around Chepauk station, as the leaky roof incessantly dripped rain water.  

Like Kotturpuram, there were people asleep inside the station and the platform. But unlike the other stations we visited, the lone policeman was missing.

Pheba and I took the ladies coach on our way back. There was no police personnel in the compartment we boarded. There were helpline numbers for the Railway Protection Force and the state’s Government Railway Police in both the general and ladies coaches.

I chose to get down at Light House, while Pheba travelled on. The station was relatively crowded. But they were not commuters. Homeless and poor, many men and women were calling it a night at the Light House station.   

After scoping out both exits, I chose, what I believed was, the safer route. The parking lots, dark and dingy, had camps of men. Dim streetlights lined the access route to the main road, located about a kilometre away. As I walked alone in the rain, I suddenly became aware of the many eyes watching me. Choosing to ignore, the inebriated catcall from a passerby, I made way out of the MRTS station and prayed I would find an autorikshaw at the earliest.
 
The media had also reported how people present at the station during and after the murder were mere spectators and many chose to board the next train and carry on with their business as usual.What haunts K Santhanagopalakrishnan the most is that when his 24-year-old daughter Swathi was lying on a railway platform bleeding to death, literally no one helped.

“Even if a crow is dead, the corpse is surrounded by hundreds of other crows,” said the grieving father in an interview to India Today. “If something is happening to a common man, we should not be mute spectators. This should be the last of such an incident,” he added.

Santhanagopalakrishnan also expressed his helplessness and disbelief when he wondered if his daughter could have been alive had bystanders done something to help her. “I don’t know if it was due to aversion or selfishness, they allowed the attack to happen,” he told NDTV.

In addition to losing his daughter, Santhanagopalakrishnan now fears for the safety of the rest of his family. “My family is afraid to go out,” he said as the crime happened not at an isolated place, but a busy one.

While the media scrutiny on the case has heightened the pressure on the authorities to nab the culprits, much to Santhanagopalakrishnan’s dismay, the limelight extended to his daughter’s personal life as well. Even in the hour of mourning, the techie’s father has made an appeal to not bring caste or communal colour where it is not required.

“As we talk of women’s liberation, women’s safety has to be prioritized. This type of incident should be the last one and should not be repeated. The body was lying for two hours without getting any medical attention. Even a cloth was not put over the body,” he told India Today.

Meanwhile, the police are also exploring the stalker angle with many reports suggesting that Swathi was being followed by a man for about two months. However, Santhanagopalakrishnan seemed unaware about the aspect. He said that there was only “one stray incident of stalking in May (10th May) when one guy was following her and she also spoke about the same. Otherwise my daughter never spoke about any stalker”.

The post Open Letter from Swathi’s Sister Calls a Halt to Insensitive Speculation appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Source: The News Minute
 
Chennai techie’s murder does not call for rabid speculation on religion and caste
We don’t know who the killer was. He could be from any religion, any caste.
We don’t know who the killer was. He could be from any religion, any caste.

Two days after the brutal murder of Chennai Infosys employee S Swathi in Chennai, an obscure Hindu right-wing website put out an article with the headline “Chennai- Brutal ISIS Style Cut Throat Murder of Infosys Girl, to terrorize other Love Jihad Victims?” The report, with no supporting evidence claimed the murder was a case of ‘Love Jihad'.

Such reports are usually relegated to the dustbin, for their rabid communalism and rumour-mongering is all too evident. But not this time. Hours after this article went up, Hindu right-wing sympathizers went ballistic online, sharing it massively with their own conspiracy theories.

The report, replete with references to Love Jihad, Hindu self-victimization and self-loathing, then led to many other Hindu right-wing websites putting out their own spin-offs with headlines like "Is Infosys Swathi actually murdered by a Jilted Love Jihadi?". In the Hindu right-wing world, it was now an established fact that it was a Muslim who had murdered her, and since she was a Brahmin, no one in the Dravidian Tamil Nadu cared for her.

The extent of the misplaced beliefs was evident when Y Gee Mahendra, a popular comedian from the Brahmin elite high table put out a Whatsapp forward as a post on Facebook, of which the rough Tamil translation is as follows. The WhatsApp forward is apparently based on some online snooping on Swathi’s Facebook profile and unverified initial reports on suspects. 
 

“Brahmin girl Swathi was killed by animal **** In Tamil Nadu, there is almost complete silence everywhere about it. No one is ready to condemn. If Swathi was a Dalit girl, Rahul (Gandhi) would have come fast. Media’s focus will be on it for 24 hours. Dalit Association might protest against it. Dravidian Political parties also might participate in this. Comrades and Woman Associations also would be in field for struggle.
What we should do? The girl who died was a Brahmin. By doing politics over this girl there will not get any political benefit. When will viewing caste of a dead person ever end? God, how you are going to change this Tamil Nadu?”

Apart from the completely unfounded claim that it was a Muslim who killed her, what strikes is the irony of calling out to her caste, and then lamenting about the culture of identifying victims with their caste. What was also gaining currency is that this story is getting no traction in the media. At The News Minute, this has been our top story since the morning of the murder, and it has been on the front-pages of newspapers and national channels. That there has not been enough coverage is demonstrably false.

And once that claim started ringing untrue, many started asking – why are you not talking about the murderer, is it because he was a Muslim? All this while even the Chennai police is clueless as to who the killer is.

Meanwhile, Brahmin associations have jumped in. Members of the Andhanar Munetra Kazhagam met her parents and duly invited the media to cover the meeting. They also put out a release later, stating how “an innocent theistic Brahmin girl was unjustly killed by an unknown person” and that the state government must ensure the safety of Brahmin women, but ironically added for good measure that people should not talk about the caste and religion of the death.

This morning, DMK leader MK Stalin visited the family.
To be sure, the Brahmin community is a minority in TN numerically, and do not have any political power as such. The middle-classes are justified in feeling insecure as a community in Tamil Nadu. But why is there a reflex to blame another community, and play victim by misrepresentation?

We don’t know who the killer was, he could have been anyone, but the police for now have no clue about the identity of the killer. But the present political climate in the country and the history of Tamil Nadu politics make it very easy for Hindu Brahmins to point fingers at the Muslims, and feel victimized in Tamil Nadu.

It is certainly true that the middle-class outrage over the case has brought much attention this case. On Monday morning, the Madras HC intervened in the case and asked the police to get their act together. Yet, it would be wrong to say that the fears of the community are unjustified. But in twisting facts and creating communal rumours, the community is treading a problematic path. Till the police confirms who the suspect is, speculation about his identity will only further muddy the waters.

Update: Y Gee Mahendra has put out a clarification on his Facebook wall for his post, which ironically only proves that such speculations are not driven by reason, and are rather reckless.

"LET ME CLEAR THE AIR ..THE POST ABOUT TRAGIC MURDER OF SWATHI IN TAMIL CAME TO ME AND I SHARED IT WITH ALL BECAUSE I FELT AT THAT POINT THAT ENOUGH FUSS WAS NOT BEING MADE ABOUT IT AS IN OTHER SIMILAR CASES. ..ONLY NOW THE PROTESTS HAVE PICKED UP….

THIS POST WAS NOT CREATED BY ME.(I DONT EVEN HAVE TAMIL FONT) I ONLY AGREED WITH ITS CONTENT ON THAT ONE POINT. IF I HAD ORIGINATED IT I WD HAVE HAD THE GUTS TO STAND BY IT. I HAVE DONE SO BOLDLY ON PREV OCCASION 

BELIEVING THIS OR NOT IS THE READER'S CHOICE. BUT THIS IS THE FACT"
 
 

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