PM releases Jethmalani's book

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh released a book titled Conscience of a Maverick written by Ram Jethmalani on Thursday evening in New Delhi.

Present on the occasion were Shivraj Patil, Union home minister, Lalu Prasad Yadav, minister for railways, Communist Party of India general secretary D Raja, Minister for Environment A Raja, noted lawyer Anil Divan, and Tarun Tejpal, editor in chief of Tehelka newspaper. Pakistan's High Commissioner Shahid Malik was also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh said that Ram Jethmalani was a maverick with a difference.

"He is certainly a maverick, as he calls himself in this book, but he is a delightful and likeable maverick. A maverick is a deviant. Some deviant persons can be irritating because they disturb the norm. But, there are those who endear themselves even to those who may differ with them. Ram is certainly one such person.

What is important to recognise is that a maverick is one who deviates from the norm on a matter of principle. That, at least, is the origin of the term. Ram is certainly a maverick in that sense. His disagreements are more often on principle rather than merely being expedient," Dr Singh said.

Dr Singh said that Jethamalani has many facets: a distinguished criminal legal luminary, an active parliamentarian, a public-spirited nationalist and, often, a defender of lost causes!

He said that as a member of the Rajya Sabha, he has often raised the level of the debates by his sheer wit and humour.

"Ram Jethmalani a powerful speaker who compels you to listen to him through the power of reasoning and, of course, rhetoric," he said.

Lalu Yadav said when he came to Delhi, he met Chacha and told him about the various cases that were framed against him and asked what he should do.

The criminal lawyer told him to leave everything to him and go to sleep. "When he went to Pakistan with me I saw what kind of respect he commands in other countries also," he said.

Noted advocate Anil Divan called him a migratory bird who has been to all pastures, and has often chaged political parties in search of the Rajya Sabha ticket.

Tarun Tejpal recalled how Jethmalani was enjoying conversation with five beautiful women, while other guests of his were boring each other.

Jethmalani admitted that he was a maverick, but he denied that he had traded his convictions for a Rajya Sabha seat from political parties.

He advised both India and Pakistan to realise the importance of peace and perceive mutual advantages.

"The Kashmir problem must be rescued from the tentacles of past errors and futile policies," he said. These comments must have pleased Malik.