I decided to make this post because I recently saw the promo of a Hindi movie called 'Noone killed Jessica'. This movie is based on the murder of a barmaid called Jessica Lall in 1999 in New Delhi, India. She was murdered by a man named Manu Sharma, who was the son of an extremely powerful politician. He shot her because she refused to serve him a drink. He offered to pay her Rs. 1000 ($20) for a drink (way over what you would normally have paid in 1999 for a drink) but she refused anyway. That is when he shot her at point-blank range - twice. Jessica Lall was survived by her parents and her sister, Sabrina. The murder took place in a really posh crowded socialite party, yet the murder had no witnesses. There were wealthy socialities, actors, fashion designers and industrialists at the party and despite this, noone wanted to testify against Manu Sharma because of the power equation he belonged to. Over the next seven years after the murder of Jessica Lall, Sabrina Lall went running from pillar to post asking for justice. A lower court had already acquitted all the nine accused earlier, including Manu Sharma - this was because nearly ALL the witnesses for the case had turned hostile. Following this, a huge public uproar took place - I remember this being called as 'trial by media' - media forces mobilized and under intense public pressure the government entered an appeal in a higher court where Manu Sharma was convicted and awarded life imprisonment in 2006.
I posted this case because I remember still being in undergrad at the time. This case was the subject of many class discussions because it was the urban, educated class that was appalled at Manu Sharma's acquittal. Over 200,000 text messages were sent in support of Sabrina Lall's fight for justice. Candle marches were organized and also something called 'Middle Finger Protests' organized by a group called Human Rights Protection Group in North India. It was the media that got the message out - emails were sent, petitions signed online and ALL OF THAT was submitted to the government.
The trailer of the movie is a mixture of Hindi and English but the background of the case should ensure that you understand it. It was the Jessica Lall case that accurately reflects the power of the media - it can truly move mountains. This movie is an excellent representation of the failure of the judicial system in India. I would really, really love to show this movie for the 'Bollywood' night when it releases - there are many other more entertaining movies that I could choose to show you but I want to show this one. Please watch the trailer on Youtube - the critics are hailing the performances of both the women actors in this movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzGZ9oL9Lv0
For a background on the case, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Jessica_Lall#Acquittal_by_Lower_Court
Sounds like a really interesting movie Dhvani. It definitely demonstrates the power of the media and it's ability to draw attention to political corruption. This is a great example of the use of media for activism and social change and just goes to show that having the media on your side can be extremely influential in cases of social justice. Although, it is discouraging that the judicial system succumbed to political and economic pressure in the initial trials of Manu Sharma, justice was finally served. It demonstrates that people in power who have a great deal of influence often find ways to manipulate the judicial system. However, all hope is not lost and through the perseverance of people like Sabrina Lall and the use of the media's power and influence, justice can be served.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with you, Danielle. I personally remember this case being branded one of the media's best-ever victories. It is not easy in a country like India where corruption is rampant and everything is related to the power of a singular person. However, through Sabrina's perseverance and the media-public collaboration, the guilty were finally bought to book. It is interesting to note that it was never rural India that cared about this issue because there are parts of India where it is automatically assumed that if you against the rules, you will be killed. Noone blinks an eye in those parts of India - crime is just part of everyday life. But because Sabrina didn't give up, she's a great example to ordinary Indians who have been victimized by those in power. Accepted wisdom in India says that anybody who has power and money can do anything and get away with it - this issue is a great example of untrue that is. Justice delayed may be justice denied, but eventually it was delivered. Sabrina Lall is inspiration to many such people and there are many examples like hers that are a display of an individual's grit to get what is owed to them.
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