Media was having a field day. Respected Home
Minister Khaleel Khan’s fifth begum has hoisted a complaint against him for
domestic violence, with attempted physical abuse, rape and murder charges. With
the elections around the corner, this has come as a big blow for the minister
and the MAF party. While party and Khaleel Khan are busy with serious damage
control, opposition party is engraving the matter. All news channels were covering
this news.
Kochi [Kerala]
While all this chaos was going on, many families
were going through their daily routine unperturbed. Anjali as usual got up at 5
o’clock and got busy with house chores. She had to prepare breakfast and pack
lunches for her husband and sons. Then she went to wake her husband. Ashok got
up as usual complaining about the new day, his wife’s tardiness, piled up office
work, his grumpy boss, kids’ laziness, how the water is not hot enough for his
bath, that his dosa hasn’t fried
well, curry is salt less, his shirt has creases as it’s not ironed properly,
his lunch box is not washed well and finally his usual complaint, that his
biggest misfortune is that he is married to Anjali.
While he went on about his usual laments, Anjali
went about her duties devotedly. She made sure everything is set for his bath;
food is served hot and got her 3 sons ready for school. She knew her husband’s
nature and never expected a word of appreciation or help and went about her
chores unaffected. So as usual she got late for office. Amidst all this she
didn’t have time for Khaleel Khan or his endless list of begums.
But as soon as she reached Secretariat, she was
filled in with this latest news by her colleagues. After signing attendance,
all were busy discussing the hot news of the day. Her colleague Prabha was
accounting all the crimes Khaleel Khan had committed before and how he got scot-free each time. Ramesh, who has leanings towards MAF party, was of course
supporting Khaleel Khan with all vigor. Though Anjali heard all this, she just
smiled at her colleagues and went about her work while putting in a word or two
of gossip and comments in between....as if this news of a woman being
physically abused didn’t matter at all. That it changed nothing in her world,
or is of any value in her contended life.
Bangalore [Karnataka]
In another state, again the matter wasn’t entirely
different. Thara got up as usual at 4 o’clock. Her husband had to leave for job
by 7 since he had a one hour travel to his office. So she was busy in kitchen.
At 6, her husband Raghuram got up and switched on the TV for news before
entering the bathroom. Sharp 7, she saw him to the door well fed and ready for
office. He kissed her forehead while she smiled and waved for him till he
disappeared inside the lift. Then she went to wake her son. He was just 4 years
old but had his nursery. As usual the baby was cranky in the morning but Thara
managed to bath him and got him ready for the crush. She then took the wheel
and dropped him at the nearby crush and went for some grocery shopping. Some
years back, she used to talk about politics, poverty in the country, social
evils, and ways for empowerment, patriotism; but now all she could focus upon
was the price of onion, tomato, potato etc.
She spent her time in a mall and spent some more
money on shopping till her son could be collected from the crush. Once back
home again she didn’t rest until her son had his lunch and went for his noon
nap. It was time for her nap too. But she switched on the TV for latest news
updates just to be in touch with the happenings of the world. Some habits die
hard. That’s when she chanced upon the news of Khaleel Khan. Now more comments
and news bites were being fed on TV by media as they have got a chance to
interact with Khaleel Khan himself. He has swiped away the news as fake and that
he will get to the bottom of this soon. But the media still speculated the
reasons and consequences of this news over and over again. They mentioned that
Khaleel Khan’s fifth wife has registered her complaint with Tejaswi Ram, S. I.
of Calicut district.
Calicut [Kerala]
While Thara was engrossed in the news, at the real
venue of these events things were heating up. Tejaswi Ram was having a tough
day. But she had expected none less. Her superiors were going haywire with this
news. She was called to Commissioner’s office for explanation. Commissioner was
angry for her drastic act of registering such a case without consulting them. But
Tejaswi answered all his queries with her practiced indifference.
Tejaswi: I just did my job sir.
Commissioner: Don’t talk to me in that tone Tejaswi.
You know that this is not a normal case.
Tejaswi (in a mocking tone): Why....because it’s against
a minister?
Commissioner: Tejaswi, mind your words. When a
minister or any other powerful authority is involved, then obviously the case
will gain attention. And you can’t be sure if the complaint is genuine; so you
have to think twice before taking action. You must have informed your superiors
first. And why did you inform the media about it?
Tejaswi: I didn’t sir. The woman herself gave a press
conference.
Commissioner: Do you think we are fools, to not
understand that it was your idea?
Tejaswi (in a straight voice): If you accord me with
such brilliance of mind, I’m honored sir.
Commissioner: Stop it. Do you think all this is a
joke?
Tejaswi remained silent for a moment and gave a cold
stare to her senior before she went and closed the door of his office from
inside. Constables waiting outside sniggered.
Constable 1: Commissioner is finished!!!!
All of them laughed.
Commissioner: What are you doing Tejaswi?
Tejaswi: Nothing sir, I wanted to have a talk with you
and I don’t think you will prefer your subordinates to be a witness of it.
Commissioner: Tejaswi, I repeat is all this a joke
for you? Don’t you realize the seriousness of the issue at hand?
Tejaswi (in a voice that reflected controlled anger):
With all due respect sir, I have the same question. A woman has been subjected
to domestic violence of the ultimate kind for 11 long years. She was raped each
night and even choked to death few times. Which part of this complaint do you
think is not serious or not worthy of taking action?
Commissioner (sighing): Hmm. I know Tejaswi. But you
also know how law works in our country. Politicians are the supreme authority
in our system and we have no other choice than to obey them. If not the
consequences will be...
Tejaswi: I don’t know about you sir, but I have worn
this Khaki to serve the common man
and not any politician. And I will do that no matter what.
Commissioner: I understand your anger Tejaswi. But
anger won’t take you anywhere. Khaleel Khan is very influential and yes I’m
ashamed to say this but our system will bend to his orders. Also he is the Home
Minister and we police force cannot disobey our minister. No matter how much of
a scoundrel he is.
Tejaswi: Maybe you are right sir. But Tejaswi won’t bend
before him. I will make sure Azmia Khaleel Khan gets justice.
Commissioner stared at Tejaswi for a long moment and
then said in a resigned tone.
Commissioner: I’m send here to warn you of the
consequences and compel that woman to withdraw her complaint. Can you please
send in that woman?
Tejaswi: Sure sir.
She saluted him and left the room. A while later
there was a knock at his door.
Commissioner: Come in
In walked Azmia Khaleel Khan, her head held high and
a determination that reflected through her whole being but her face devoid of
any emotion. Commissioner Krishna Kumar had a feeling that this is a battle he
was not going to win. After few minutes, he realized his intuition was indeed
bang on. Azmia Khaleel Khan was a young girl, maybe not even 30. But her eyes
spoke of suffering and her words reflected rebellion. Her astute calm nature in
contrast to Tejaswi’s rueful calmness proved to him that this girl is not going
to back out.
Commissioner: Ok, now it is up to you. It was my
duty to forewarn you of the consequences of fighting such a powerful minister.
It is a sure shot that you won’t get justice but just public molestation. I’m
sorry, but that’s the hard truth.
For the first time that day, a small nervous smile
made way to Azmia’s lips.
Azmia: I know sir. I did not take up this battle
with the hope that I will win against the great leader of Indian MAF party.
She paused for a while before continuing in a low
voice.
Azmia: But
this is my fight for survival.... I cannot.... go on like this anymore. Either
I have to fight or die; I choose to fight.... If I could do at least one
percent of the damage he did to me, to his political image, then that is the
biggest achievement of my life.
Commissioner: Do you really believe this will affect
him? He has been convicted of murder, rape, illegal arm trade, involvement with
terrorists. We did have evidence too but we could not touch him. Legislature,
Democracy, Judiciary everything bows down before such criminals. And we are
left with mud stains on our hand.
Azmia looked down for a moment.
Azmia: I don’t know sir. Maybe.... I’m fighting a
lost cause. Maybe..... this will bring me more harm than good. But I want to
challenge him.... I....I want to see his feathers ruffled for once....because
of me. I want his sleep, peace of mind, his arrogance all shaken for....for at
least a minute.
She sighed and wet her dry lips.
Azmia: He might have never expected that I will go
to this extend; that I will have the courage to fight him....openly, especially
with the election campaign going on. After all, he had tried his best....to
subdue my spirit, tried to break me.... to....to tear me down to such a level
that I never raise a finger again at him.
She took a deep breath.
Azmia (with earnest eyes): I want to prove him wrong
sir.
Her eyes looked at him with utmost sincerity and a
deep fire burning in its amber. Commissioner remained silent before the stoic determination of this woman. But he knew what is awaiting her. He just wished
that this girl will at least be able to collect the pieces of her life after
everything is over.
NOTE:
Introducing 3 more characters who made appearance in
this update:
1) Arvind
Swamy as Khaleel Khan
2) Vinay
Forrt as Raghuram Warrier
3) Irrfan
Khan as Ashok Kumar
