NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

The Rediff Interview/ Nakkeeran Gopal

'It is sad that Veerappan has gone back to his old ways'

After the release of Ramgopal Varma's film, Jungle, based roughly on Veerappan, people had been talking about the sandalwood smuggler, but nobody expected the brigand to strike so soon. Dr Rajakumar's abduction by Veerappan on Sunday night has shocked everyone.

Veerappan had sent a message to Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna through Dr Rajakumar's wife that a representative be sent to the jungle to negotiate with him. The moment Veerappan talks about negotiation, one name comes to everyone's mind; that of Nakkeeran editor, R Gopal.

Gopal and his reporter Sivasubramanyam are the only people who have met Veerappan in the past. Gopal had gone to the jungle as a representative of the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments a few years ago to get some hostages released. When Gopal returned with certain conditions from Veerappan about the possibility of his surrender, there was talk that he was acting as an aide to the dreaded thug, which hurt and angered Gopal immensely.

Will the two governments ask Gopal's help again? Will the editor agree to go to the jungles if he is asked? To get answers to these questions, Shobha Warrier tried to call Gopal on Monday morning.

But it is tough to get connected to Gopal when Veerappan becomes news. The telephones lines at the Nakkeeran office were engaged all the time. Finally, when Shobha got through, Gopal was not there.

After a dozen calls, she was told that Gopal had come to the office, but was in a meeting. After ten minutes, when she called again, she was connected to him. Gopal did not want to comment on the kidnapping, as he had not decided what to do. "So many people from various newspapers have called, but I did not speak to anyone. It is only to you that I am talking."

By the evening, Gopal said he would be in a better position to discuss the incident, and he promised to let Shobha know.

Did it surprise you when you heard about the kidnapping of Dr Rajakumar?

This is like Betal going back to the branch of the tree again. It is sad that Veerappan has gone back to his old ways. The kidnapping was so unexpected that I wouldn't say I was surprised. I was taken aback. I would only describe this as very bad news. What he had done is so cruel that I do not know how to react.

Veerappan has sent a message through Dr Rajakumar's wife, and he wants the governments to send a representative to him. Will that representative be you?

I really do not know.

Nobody has gone inside the jungle and met Veerappan except you. So, are you getting ready to go once again?

(Laughs) I really do not know what will happen now. I cannot commit myself before knowing everything in detail. There has been no contact between us for more than one-and-a-half years.

Who knows what the leaders will decide after their talks?

Will you agree to go to the jungle if the two governments request you to do so?

One cannot take a decision without knowing the details. We have no idea what the two governments are going to decide. It all depends on their talks.

Will you say no if a request came from them?

I will not, but we do not know what his conditions are and what his demands are. That is why I do not want to make any comments on the issue right now.

The Rediff Interviews

Tell us what you think of this interview