The arrest of an Indian diplomat at US has created a lot of ripples back at home. Non-stop trending at social media; noisy debates at TV studios; extreme reactions by the political class - in fact, a political leader talked about the caste of the arrested. The diplomat was arrested on charges of not paying minimum wages to domestic help. She was handcuffed and strip searched. While we may be right in protesting the humiliation we can't escape the fact that our diplomat has violated the law. The controversy has sparked a heated debate about diplomatic immunity.
But the row makes me ponder about the immunity the privileged are enjoying in our country. Sanjay Dutt, a convict in Mumbai blasts case is out on parole frequently; Maya Kodani, ex-minister in Gujarat and convict in Gujarat riots case is also out on parole; trial of Salman Khan's poaching case is going on for decades; no FIRs in accident cases involving millionaires' kids. This when many are languishing in prisons across the country unable to provide the requisite surety or bear the legal costs.
So two Indias. One not in a position to access even the minimum legal safeguards. The other absolutely immune from everything.
