Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has revealed that the widely reported story of Ajmal Kasab demanding mutton biryani in jail was fabricated to prevent public sympathy from building around the 26/11 Mumbai attacks convict. Years after admitting that the claim was untrue, Nikam revisited the controversial episode.
During an appearance on Sunday Brunch, hosted by Kamiya Jani for Curly Tales, Nikam recalled how his statement about Kasab asking for mutton biryani became breaking news and sparked a debate about the accused’s treatment in jail.
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Rajkummar, who plays Nikam in the upcoming biographical film, Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story, also joined the conversation to discuss his role.
Recalling the episode, Nikam said he had been told that Kasab was missing his sister and questioning why the authorities had not apprehended the real culprit.
“When the questioning was over, I said that Kasab had asked for mutton biryani in jail. It became breaking news. People were asking what kind of terrorist he was, given that he was asking for mutton biryani after killing so many innocent people,” he said.
Nikam recalled that the claim came up in court the following day when Kasab’s lawyer questioned why the accused would approach the prosecutor for biryani instead of asking his own legal counsel.
“The next day, his lawyer told the court that Nikam sir had claimed Kasab demanded mutton biryani. He asked, ‘If Kasab wanted mutton biryani, he would ask me. Why would he ask you?’ The judge then asked me, ‘What’s the matter?'” Nikam recounted.
According to Nikam, he responded by referring to Kasab’s background and food preferences.
“I said, ‘Sir, Kasab has come from Pakistan. His home is near Karachi, and he has always eaten non-vegetarian food. He eats mutton biryani. Now, ask him whether he wants mutton biryani or not.'”
However, Nikam said Kasab did not respond when the judge asked him whether he had demanded the dish.
“Kasab may not have understood the question because he was a Punjabi Muslim and did not understand Hindi very well. The judge asked him whether he had asked for mutton biryani, but Kasab did not answer. Now, only Kasab and I know whether he really asked for mutton biryani or not,” he said.
Nikam had publicly admitted in 2015 that Kasab had neither demanded mutton biryani nor been served it by the government. He said he had invented the story to counter what he believed was growing public sympathy for the accused during the trial.
Speaking on the sidelines of an international conference on counterterrorism in Jaipur, Nikam said, “Kasab never demanded biryani and was never served by the government. I concocted it just to break an emotional atmosphere which was taking shape in favour of Kasab during the trial of the case.”
Explaining what had prompted him to make the claim, Nikam recalled an incident in court when Kasab appeared to wipe away tears. He said the media was closely observing the accused’s body language and quickly reported the moment.
“The media was minutely observing his body language and he was well aware of it. One day, in the courtroom, he bowed his head and wiped his eyes. Moments later, electronic media broke the news – tears in Kasab’s eyes,” Nikam said.
He added that it was Rakshabandhan that day, prompting speculation that Kasab was thinking about his sister. According to Nikam, some people began questioning whether the accused was a terrorist.
Nikam said he believed the emotional response needed to be stopped and decided to make the statement about Kasab demanding biryani.
Meanwhile, Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story, starring Rajkummar Rao, revisits the prosecution of Kasab in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case and is scheduled to release in theatres on October 16.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
