Do Award Givers Actually Know Whom to Select – Former Militant Gets Padma Shri

Obama was awarded the Nobel peace prize, probably because America didn’t wage any war against any nation that year. Awarding a Padmashree to a former militant is however not bearable in any case. The alleged former Kashmir militant Ghulam Muhammad Mir has been charged of murder and rape as well. His credentials are under serious suspicions.

Well one man’s terror is other’s freedom fight is an old maxim. But the novelty in this case is that Indian Home Ministry feels Mr. Mir to be a freedom fighter and not a militant. According to the home ministry report, Mir was recommended for Padmashree by Central Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah and Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah. However, Omar Abdullah the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir has denied the state’s recommendation for the same.

After the event there have been a series of comments from eminent political personalities where Home Secretary G.K. Pillai said “Counter insurgent Mir did great service to the nation,” Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed called the award unfortunate and insult to those who recieved it in past. Mir himself denied the allegations of being a militant and said that he was a civilian carrying his own business. He denied the charges of rape and murder as well.

It is strange that a criminal  who has surrendered is honoured with the title and hundreds of jawans, army officers, police officers and other unseen heroes are not even considered. So when a militant rapes or kills people and eventually surrenders he becomes a hero but those who fight him with their blood and sweat are ignored entities.

New Delhi thinks he has done national service. Lets assume he did. But is it necessary to award him the title with all the controversies and cases against him? Can’t we find a bunch of people with clean image in a country with population of hundred crores? On an optimistic note it may be said that a FORMER MILITANT who reformed himself should be encouraged to set an example for others. But aren’t the stakes to high? Honouring with the most prestigious award is no solution to promote gandhism. It may influence some misguided people but what about the faith of the masses? A Border Security Officer risks his life to fight these militants once they surrender they get awards whereas the former has to be satisfied with the bare minimum perks given to him.

Tolerance is good trait but excessive tolerance is akin to cowardliness. If Kasab confesses may be in due course of time he would be appointed as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra itself.

This has definitely happened in past and may be repeated in future. Phoolan Devi (the bandit queen) who was an infamous dacoit had also acquired a Lok Sabha representative from Samajwadi party after her release on parole. At times her case is considered exceptional as she faced many atrocities. But I’m sure no one would have compelled our tainted ministers to rape or murder someone. The list is long the infamous ministers from Congress are Subodh Kant Sahay, Mukul Wasnik, Ajay Maken, Harish Rawat, Arun Yadav, Pratik Prakashbapu Patil and Pradeep Jain, while Sisir Adhikari (TMC) and Gandhiselvan from DMK have been appointed. I’m sure I must be missing some of the eminent personalities who have done great harm to the country.

It is often contended that law presumes innocence until proved guilty. Well the premise is well argued but can we risk the fate of the seventh largest country in the world just because there is a probability that they may be innocent. I agree Lalu Prasad Yadav transformed the Indian railways completely but did he deserve a chance after the Chara Ghotala? What if the next government discovers that there was a Chai Ghotala in railways? Who would take the responsibility then? And who would defend Shibu Soren’s controvertial appointment? How many of us actually think that Sidhu deserved to stand for elections or how many us support Sanjay Dutt’s arrival in politics?

May be the majority would say I do. This is because we have such ministers and politicians. If they really intend to serve the nation they need not take any post. Gandhi was never our prime minister but he is certainly our father of nation.