Sir — This refers to the extensive media coverage of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt’s surrender before a Tada court on Thursday.
May one ask what is the need to give so much of print space to a convictIJ Is it because he is a film starIJ Earlier, the media wanted him to be punished just like an ordinary citizen of the country, who had broken the law. When he was awarded a reduced sentence and he failed to get respite from the apex court, there was a clamour for his pardon, not only from the film industry but from an eminent jurist like Mr Markandey Katju, who understands the law.
Now, finally, when Dutt surrendered, there was such a mad rush to cover the event as if he was sacrificing his life for a noble cause. The media’s ideal role should be to expose the system if a person is being favoured on account of being a celebrity. This is essential to enforce the belief of the common man in the rule of law. Contrary to it, the media is making a hero of a convict.