Letters: Fair advice for Dutt

The editorial "Time lost, time to serve" (March 31) is objective advice to Sanjay Dutt about seeking a pardon for his case under the Arms Act, connected to the 1993 Mumbai blasts. Dutt has displayed mature judgement and fair play by deciding not to seek a pardon, and surrender in fulfilment of the Supreme Court's order. Given the gravity of his proven crime and the 20-year freedom he enjoyed pending the final verdict, which enabled him to establish his reputation as a star, it is a correct, though painful, move. He should start serving the jail term and seek reprieve later on the basis of good conduct in prison. He may also consider making financial contributions for the rehabilitation of some of the victims of the blasts.

This case also showed how even eminent people can go wrong when they are guided by emotion, instead of reason, in matters involving celebrities. The illuminating instance is Justice Katju's suggestion that Dutt deserved to be forgiven because he propagated the message of Mahatma Gandhi through his "Munnabhai" films. Any other actor could have played that role for a fee, like Dutt did. Besides, no one would claim that, influenced by the impact and intensity of the role he played, Dutt has followed Gandhi in his personal life.

Y G Chouksey Pune

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