No matter who rules the States of TN and Karnataka, Veerappan continues to rule the jungles bordering them. In yet another episode in his seemingly endless saga of crime, the brigand has coolly walked away with a high profile victim, evoking once again painful memories of his past escapades and their sickening fallout. Indeed, one can brace oneself for the now familiar routine of cassettes with the demands of the brigand popping up at newspaper offices or elsewhere and two State governments mulling their options with their backs to the wall.
And as expected, the political mud-slinging and mutual finger-pointing has already started in right earnest, even as the brigand goes deeper and deeper into the impregnable forests with his latest catch. And given his recent metamorphosis into a ?Tamil militant? from being a killer and a thief, one can look forward to a mega-serial like pot pourri of politically correct outpourings from the brigand to the accompaniment of rank rabid rantings from his cheer-leaders here in ?civilization?. The people for their part can join their elected governments in wringing their hands in despair, fatigue and frustration.
Now, who should take the blame for this latest fiasco? Veerappan, of course, for how can we rob him of the credit that is due to him, a devil no doubt? Indeed, for the record, there are also Special Task Forces of the Tamilnadu and Karnataka governments, supposedly on his trail, who should theoretically take the blame, jointly and severally, but as we learn now, barring their common enemy Veerappan who was their raison d?etre, nothing else seemed to have been common among them.
There has neither been cooperation or coordination, nor a concerted action plan with each acting on their own, probably only bumping into each other in the thickets often, but never within even a smelling distance of the foul felon. The two STFs between them must have gobbled up several times more money that V would have looted over the last one decade but have woefully failed to even pull a bristle from the brigand?s whisker.
Now this is as much an indictment of the STF as it is a measure of the brigand?s elusive abilities. But the point cannot also be totally lost that journos and emissaries have been able to breeze in and out of the jungles like the, well, breeze itself while the STF has always remained content with getting tips from them! There were pompous promises when Dawaram took over, but it appears, V has prevailed, at least for the present.
The present crisis opens up new dimensions though indications of it were very striking during the earlier episode itself when reel hero Rajkumar was at the mercy of the real villain for a run of over hundred days.
The lingering problems between the two States over Cauvery and the plight of Tamil detainees in Karnataka prisons are dicey issues for the brigand whence he can whip up seemingly justifiable indignation in Tamilnadu.
Of course, the larger audience knows that he is no more than a ruthless killer out to make money out of the blood of his victims, that include men and mammals, but unfortunately there is a fringe in the civilized world which finds common cause with the brigand and worse of all, also has megaphones at its disposal besides a political platform. These elements can certainly ignite passions here against the neighbouring State which too is an obliging partner given the language chauvinism prevailing there.
Net result: rising acceptance of the ?causes? for which ?Tamil militant? Veerappan is fighting for among more and more of the misguided elements in TN of which there has never been any dearth, particularly among the unemployed youth of the State who are inflammable. In the event, as it happens, the message and the man will merge and it will not be long before V?s past would be forgotten and even forgiven in the burning fires of chauvinism.
A major factor that has emboldened Veerappan to turn into a preacher from being a poacher was the lack of transparency in the States? dealings with him in the past. Apart from the persistent rumours that large amounts of cash had changed hands under the camouflage of the greenery as ransom there was also the sorry spectacle of duly elected governments abdicating their constitutional duties in favour of unnofficial emissaries whose own intentions and acvtivities were dubious at best and diabolical at worst.
Had these governments mustered the courage to tell the world what really Veerappan was after –money –he would have been exposed for what he was, even in the eyes of the most thick-skulled chauvinist. But that never happened and the mystique around the brigand was only allowed to enlarge with he being permanently at large and striking at will at the time and place of his choosing. The shroud of mystery and intrigue that hung over the official circles was so palpable that it appeared one knew what V was upto in his distant lair than what our elected reps were doing down here at Fort St George.
Worst still was the role of sections of the media. Known for their penchant for painting the State yellow with their special brand of journalism, Veerappan for them was a godsend. They not only saw eye to eye with the brigand but were also on a moustache to moustache level of intimacy with him. Appropriating the role of official emissaries from a helpless, impotent regime these buccaneers made a living out of their contacts and probably, contracts with their favourite killer, articulating his views with unfailing alacrity and carrying out his errands faithfully.
For these hacks, Press Freedom was something that was meant to press for the brigand?s freedom and their right to protect a news source could also be used to shield an income source. Had they not queered the pitch so much, with the elected governments watching over silently, Veerappan could have been isolated and even secured long back. But the umbrella of the media aided by a hands-off, acquiescing officialdom have together made him a larger than life monster that now mocks at its makers.
But now, V is no longer the USP of any of the media men. He has outgrown them and is presently the mascot for Tamil nationalism. And with chauvinist fires waiting to be inflammed on both sides of the jungles, V is sure to bask in the warmth which could also melt his past or so he hopes. Also, with several of his compatriots cooling their heels in various jails all over TN, and Cauvery remaining imprisoned in Karnataka dams, could there be a more opportune moment for this white knight from the jungles to make a grand entry and enact a great rescue act?
Of course, Nedumaran and his ilk would only be grateful to the brigand if they were to walk free owing to his charity, for they not only want their freedom but could also love their saviour for it. We, in TN, too want Cauvery, but would it taste sweet if it were to flow from the barrel of a bandit?s gun? Could there be anything more ignominious for Karnataka to release water under the blackmail of a brigand or more shameful for
TN to benefit from the not so benign charity of a bandit? Interesting, though disgusting, prospects indeed!
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