Obituaries

Two sad events have occurred back to back within a short span. Over 70 CRPF Jawans have been massacred by the Naxals. The disaster is news all over today and everyone is discussing this. Even the Opposition parties (namely, the BJP) have expressed their solidarity with the government in fighting the Naxal menace. Soon this daring – the worst ever too – attack would be history. Politicians and public alike would get busy with other events and easily forget this – after committees, conversations (nay, debates) and much coffee. But the grieving families will forever be haunted by the departed members’ memories. And the morale of the CRPF has been damaged beyond immediate repair. The only way the government (and the Nation) can bring solace to the departed souls would be to train the paramilitary forces and provide them with everything they need to fight the well-entrenched enemy. It is now evident that the Naxals are no more poor tribals who are fighting the government apathy. May those who succumbed to the inhuman attack soon rest in peace!

Prof Ramachandra Siras, Reader at the AMU was found dead this evening. Even though the Media states that it’s a possible suicide there could be other angles to his death. He was in the public limelight for all the wrong reasons (for no fault of his). He was caught having sex on camera (with another man) – televised possibly at the behest of the University authorities - and was hence suspended from/by the AMU. For a man who wanted a normal life away from the public glare this sure must have been the worst ever nightmare. India – the biggest democracy – still lags behind when it comes to individual freedoms. Prof. Siras’s trial and tribulations that have culminated in his death are proof to this. The man might have succumbed to the pressure and the public gaze he had to live under – even after having won the first round of the legal battle (by getting a stay to the University’s orders from the Delhi High Court). Here’s wishing that his death may be the last due to discrimination.