Kavita Karkare's poem, "Do not become a martyr in this country" aptly describes the sad state of affairs in the country. She proceeds to question, "Should the martyr be hanged? Or should he be kept alive?" summing up the gross insensitivity of the system and the politicians who seek to reap dividends in the name of martyrs while insidiously betray the trust of their families and nation. Kavita Karkare is the wife of martyred ATS Chief Hemant Karkare who laid his life facing the bullets of terrorists in 26/11 Mumbai attack. Smita Salaskar, wife of encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar, who was killed in the 26/11 terror attack still wants to know what exactly had happened outside Cama Hospital in which her husband and two other senior police officers Hemant Karkare and Ashok Kamte were killed by two terrorists. Vinita Kamte, the widow of 26/11 martyr Ashok Kamte has paid tribute through her book "To the Last Bullet" and has demanded an enquiry into the circumstances that led to the death of Kamte, Salaskar and Karkare. Another 26/11 martyr Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's father says his valiant son was the victim of politics. All these outbursts point to the deep anguish and sense of loss that the families of these martyrs face at the hands of the responsible persons who prefer to serve certain vested interests.
The politics played over the martyrdom of police inspector MC Sharma is still fresh in public memory. Winner of seven gallantry awards, including the President's gallantry medal and 150 police rewards, Sharma, who moved with extra protection, was credited with the killing of 35 terrorists and the arrest of 80 others. While carrying out an anti-terror operation he was martyred by terrorists's bullet. Yet, his martyrdom was questioned with politicians demanding enquiry into the entire operation which came to be known as "Batla house encounter". We are witness to the fact the despite the parliament attack martyrs' family demanding execution of Afzal Guru as per Supreme Court verdict, the government shows no inclination to hang him. Even the martyrs' families returning of the medals given by the government recognizing bravery of the martyrs in foiling the terror attack on parliament has failed to move the government into action. These are the harsh realities which show the current political culture which shamefully chooses to ignore the sensibilities of martyrs' families and sentiments prevailing in the society at the altar of political convenience. In such circumstances Kavita Karkare is right in questioning, "Should the martyr be hanged?"
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