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Behind The Scenes... At The Tamil Tamasha |
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ARREST AND AFTER 1) M Karunanidhi's attire when he was arrested: spotless white shirt and dhoti, complete with trademark yellow angavastram, and spectacles and pen in pocket The first question that would strike anyone, but was never raised is: is this how he normally sleeps - he claims the police barged into his bedroom and arrested him. Obviously he had been given enough time to get ready, and not dragged out in a hurry as claimed. 2) Presence of Murasoli Maran and others: Again, if the police barged into Karunanidhi's bedroom and dragged him off without notice, what were a fully dressed Murasoli Maran and others doing, keeping vigil at his house at that hour? (The interesting thing is Maran is indeed Karunanidhi's neighbour at the residence of the former CM's first wife Dayalu. But at least one channel reported that Karunanidhi was arrested from the residence of his second wife, Rajathi.)  3) In the footage of the arrest, only one policeman is seen in contact with Karunanidhi. It's obvious even from a first glance at the footage that the shove came from another quarter in the foreground. Karunanidhi is seen grappling only with someone in front of him - in the foreground, and this is not a policeman.4) The only policeman in contact with Karunanidhi is clearly seen supporting him, even as he seems to be slipping. No evidence whatsoever of a single policeman roughing up the former CM or dragging him. Yet every single report (except predictably, Jaya TV) says Karunanidhi was dragged and manhandled, when there's clearly no such evidence. One can even forgive an initial report filed without enough time to cross-check every detail, but to deliberately distort the facts repeatedly? 5) Agitated voice clearly not that of Karunanidhi - probably someone shouting in the background, close to the cam. This is very obvious from the pictures of Karunanidhi, even without any knowledge of lip sync. 6) Karunanidhi dressed formally during arrest, but changed into lungi and rumpled shirt while going for remand - where did he change clothes, and why? Obviously, someone realised that Karunanidhi would get more sympathy if he looked dishevelled. I can understand someone being dishevelled during the arrest, and getting dressed later while appearing in public in order to appear dignified befitting their position, but why would someone change into a torn shirt and lungi from formal clothes? Yet, not one report thought this spin doctoring stunt worthy of mention. 7) Behaviour of Murasoli Maran, Union cabinet minister - during arrest, and after: A person sworn to protect the Constitution first prevents the police from doing their duty, and then goes on to kick and beat a constable violently on the head, knowing fully well the policeman could and would do nothing to defend himself. In fact, in every scene, the police are seen to be at the receiving end, even at the hands of the female relatives who are shown abusing the cops and waving slippers at them. Not in a single incident have I seen the police being anything but restrained. 8) Maran seated quite hale and hearty in the residence of magistrate - when exactly did he sustain his injuries, where and how? All the reports faithfully parrotted the DMK line that Maran was injured in the scuffle with the police. Did anyone bother to find out what exactly were his injuries, and how they were sustained, if indeed he had any at all? He is seen sitting with Karunanidhi at the magistrate's house, seemingly without any injuries so far - and the scuffles happened before this. 9) Car with Maran forcing its way through the gate We saw the spectacle of Maran's car forcibly entering the CB-CID office although there was a posse of policemen on the other side of the gate, preventing access. Did anyone find out if the police was at all obliged to give any outsider, even if it was a Cabinet Minister, access? 10) Behaviour of T R Baalu, Union Minister - threatening policemen The less said about this dignitary the better. He is seen shouting that he should be allowed through the same gate because "he is a Union Minister" - pray why? 11) Sun TV's totally biased coverage: This is hardly surprising. But there are a couple of points worthy of special mention. The shots of Maran hitting the constable on the head were edited out after the first couple of times they were shown. More seriously, Sun TV showed a graphic plate with the names of the policemen who had gone to arrest Karunanidhi - it was a provocative and threatening gesture, and totally unprecedented. 12) George Fernandes - he says there has been a constitutional breakdown in TN - why, because a former CM and 2 union ministers are arrested?! No one sought specific details from him, asking him to list exactly which "constitutional norms" were flouted. If indeed this Government goes, it will be a truly Goebbelsian coup - a political operation, with the media as a willing/ unaware accomplice. And a Governor has been removed for doing exactly what she pledged to do - to uphold the Constitution! RECENTLY ON JAAL: The Agra Assignment Going Ape Over Kashmir Bad Dream Factory Ballot Boxing Borderline Patriotism Bill Clinton's Hidden Agenda The Tapes: Replay The Naked Truth About Sinha's Dream Budget Give Us This Day Our Daily Disaster A Dip Into The Kumbh Hype Hype Hurray The A 2 Z Of Y2K What's Behind Bush? 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