Three years ago, from an elevated stage at a rally, Narendra Modi blamed the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led UPA government for its soft stance on the two Italian marines accused of killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in 2012.
He even invoked the audience’s sympathy for the fishermen and their families.
The fishermen were sons of poor mothers, trying to fill their stomachs. They were blameless.... Whose influence ensured that that the two young men from Italy received bail?Narendra Modi in 2013
In 2014, Modi took a potshot at Congress President Sonia Gandhi, referring to the 2013 Supreme Court decision which permitted the marines to leave the country to vote in Italy’s elections.
“At whose behest the government in Delhi gave the marines a chance to go back to Italy?” Modi asked.
All that was then. Now, Modi and his ruling government’s stance has seemingly changed.
Earlier on Thursday, the Supreme Court granted conditional bail to one of the Italian marines, Salvatore Girone, and permission to return to Italy until a decision was made by the two countries.
In September 2014, the other accused, Massimiliano Latorre, had returned to Italy for treatment after suffering a stroke. Now with the fate of Girone decided, no justice has been delivered.
So far, the Centre has not objected to the Supreme Court – in strong contrast to Modi’s rhetoric-infused speeches, questioning the previous government for not doing enough.
Predictably, soon after the Supreme Court’s decision, newly elected Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the Centre’s reaction “foul play”. He even questioned the “wrong response” of the apex court.
In an official statement, the MEA said India has agreed to the bail with some additional conditions.
The Supreme Court has only relaxed bail conditions of Girone and he will continue to remain under monitoring and return when needed.MEA
Now it remains to be seen how soon the Centre will execute the Supreme Court’s order and when an International Arbitral Tribunal will decide the jurisdictional issue between India and Italy.
MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup was unavailable for comment. The story will be updated as and when The Quint hears from the ministry.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)