India mainly lives by two codes of conduct – Indian penal code and our proud moral code. The second is individual choice while the first one is binding to all Indian citizens. An advocate is there to dissect the available Books of Law and demand the court exactly the nature of justice his/her party wants and effectively prove to the court that it is what his/her party deserves. Whatever the type of law we follow, British or American, since 6-7 decades we in India continue respecting our laws and suspecting all accused – always sending bright criminals free! We know that our official clauses, sub clauses are webs spun around loopholes.
The problem is with our interpretations. I remember the story of one Smiths. The Smith's were proud of their family tradition. Their ancestors had come to America on the Mayflower. They had included Senators and Wall Street wizards. They decided to compile a family history, a legacy for their children and grandchildren. They hired a fine author. Only one problem arose - how to handle that great-uncle George, who was executed in the electric chair. The author said he could handle the story tactfully. The book appeared. It said, "Great-uncle George occupied a chair of applied electronics at an important government institution, was attached to his position by the strongest of ties, and his death came as a great shock."
Art of misinterpreting statements is not limited to IPC only. Holy Verses are the most misinterpreted. Religionists twist verses from Holy Scriptures in favour of the structure, which they control. That is why there is so much of religious intolerance all over the nation. Then came politicians. They are the best in this art of manipulating statements. They know how to replace a comma or how to spell a situation. Knowing that we live reading in between lines does not give us peace.
Joseph Mattappally
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