From Ayodhya to Gujarath - Rise of Another Stalwart

I don't know anyone of you remember the name K. Lakshmana, the stalwart Inspector General of Police during the black days of Emergency. He was celebrated as a hero during the time of Emergency as under him, the Naxalite movement came to an end in Kerala, but later 'fate' turned its positions and he became a villain; he was convicted for the death of the Naxalite leader Varghese. I am not going to illustrate the complexities in this issue, but I was just reminded of Lakshmana when I heard of L.K. Advani's resignation letter. So, you may ask what is so common with I.G. Lakshmana and L.K. Advani.



I will come to that later, but what are the common aspects between LK and NaMo ( as the followers address Narendra Modi). One thing, both are BJP leaders, both are at least sometime in their lifetime been regarded as the hard face of RSS in the party, having so strong an idea on Hinduist principles. But, what attracts me the most is, Advani is responsible for Babri Masjid Demolition and subsequent murder of 2000 Muslims( if I trust Wikipedia) and then hailed as an undisputed leader of BJP whereas more or less Modi is responsible for the murder of 2500 or so people( excluding those who are missing and all) and the violence followed after Godhra incident and became the one and only notable leader in the BJP after LK Advani. Whereas Modi is trying to change his image from a bloodthirsty ideologue to the epitome of development, Advani failed in his attempt to be the moderate face in the NDA.

The question so is not who is better, but something else. Here lies the reason why I thought of Lakshmana when I heard of the fall of LK Advani. Lakshmana's case shows how good our system of law in punishing the culprits even if it is so late, whereas LK's case shows, even if the law failed, the time, the God will do its function well. Those who hailed him for the murder, for the illegal demolition of the Masjid conducted demonstration outside his house criticising him. A Great Show Indeed.