Editor's Byte

The parole given by the Supreme Court to Varun Gandhi for two weeks is neither a victory for the BJP or the Congress. It is a victory for common sense. Whether the National Security Act (NSA) was misused, or was an over-reaction to the communal mischief sought to be spread by the great-grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru is still to be determined, but what the highest court in the land has provided in its judgement is only an "interim relief" for the accused. Along with the interim relief, the court has made two noteworthy observations. 

First, the SC has settled the matter of the nature of the speech. It was communal and calculated to spread communal hatred. Accordingly, the court after much verbal haggling, has agreed on the text of the undertaking Varun has to give to the Etah jail authorities, promising not to make any further communal speeches. He will do this through an affidavit. 

In other words, the court insisted not merely on a verbal assurance but on an oath which it forced Varun to give on stamp paper. Presumably, the Supreme Court did not wish to leave anything to chance, knowing how assurances and promises can be easily broken. 

Second, by giving the accused no more than qualified relief, it has reminded him that he is still being closely watched. There is a definite suggestion that the court is keeping a hawk’s eye on the young man. 

While one part of the distasteful Varun drama is over, it is now to be seen how the voters of Pilibhit respond to the whole affair. One can argue that Varun is not the only one to have made a hate speech, Election 2009 has been marred by numerous candidates using potentially explosive language. But Varun’s words were qualitatively different. 

The first phase of this five phase poll is over, I hope the other four phases witness less obnoxious behaviour. 

Tailpiece: Another shoe has been thrown – this time at L K Advani. If the tamasha continues, this dramatic form of protest will surely lose its bite.