Khobragade Affair: My Country Right or Wrong

Now that the Devyani Khobragade has landed on the Indian shores it is time to do some strip search about the gaping cavities in reporting the event. As the episode had sparked off a major diplomatic row involving two countries the 'my country right or wrong' brand of assessment took front seat.

For Indians the arrest and later treatment of the diplomat was akin to disrobing of Draupadi. The usually measured foreign office corps was at its feverish best. As the consular official happened to be a Dalit, it sparked an adrenaline rush among the political class. Among the combative talking heads on TV studios there seemed near unanimity that Preet Bharara was the name they would prefer to see on tombstones. Amid this entire din it was forgotten that the maid Sangeetha Richards too happened to be from our shores, though like most Indians she too was a seeker of green card nirvana.

The US saw India as a petulant child refusing to accept defeat after a football match. They wondered how Indians could condone exploitation of a maid and a breach of labour laws and push for diplomatic immunity for such gross violations. When will they learn to treat their underclass humanely? The US media's selective amnesia over Obama government’s scramble to grant CIA contractor Raymond Davis diplomatic immunity would make Orwell proud. Barely a couple of years ago in Pakistan, Davis had killed two persons and the US had pulled all stops to get him out of Pakistan jail. They cared two hoots about respecting Pakistani law. Some immunities are indeed more equal and can even get away with murder!

For Khobragade the honeymoon with Indian media is fading. So far they were willing to play knights in shining armour for her, but in the ensuing media glare some of her skeletons too tumbled out. Hence some scribes have now trained their guns at the dubious purchase of her flat in Adarsh  housing society, which is embroiled in a scam of monumental proportions. In the coming days she and her father will be witnessing the media’s much feared needling prowess.

Also Read: Bangalore Beat