Yes, this has been in the news lately. Whoever hasn't heard of the riots cropping up over the proposed execution of the infamous Afzal must have been on a trip to Mars! Now what could possibly be the reason that the entire hungama is being staged, you wonder? Well that's the Indian political arena for you.
India's take on capital punishment, and for that matter on most such sensitive topics, has always been non-committal and one of careful detachment. A lack of taking a strong ground on matters of significance is conservative at best and decidedly escapist at worst. It seems to me that a passive approach is an accepted phenomenon of sorts in our land.
Admittedly, there are always two sides to a coin. However, it is undeniable that the absence of any decisive ruling by the government only helps in making a pseudo-celebrity out of the likes of Dhananjoy Chatterjee (check this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhananjoy_Chatterjee). To what extent will the government pose silent spectator and let people go berserk over the execution of traitors - Afzal Guru for example. The Centre seems to be buckling under pressure to issue clemency to Afzal for appalling reasons - possible negative effects on peace process in Kashmir, political pressure from the opposition and the parties in Kashmir and other such. Again, there is talk that the man in question seems to have been denied a fair trial. Why does the government not take matters into hands and ensure that the accused is proved guilty beyond any reasonable doubt rather than play political games over granting pardon?
Is amnesty a virtual joke in this nation? Explore this further. Post your inputs and opinions. You may certainly join the silent masses but the least you can do is voice your views. Afterall what else is a blog for?!!
See Also:
http://asiadeathpenalty.blogspot.com/
http://www.kmsnews.org/Kashmir%20News%20Archive/05/News051006-05.htm
1 comment:
In the case of Dhananjoy, too, there were cries for amnesty. He was one person who at least made an effort to reform himself at some point of time. Yet he was hanged. The reason for establishing a prison system is to keep dangerous people away from society and at the same time give them a chance to reform. If we are of the opinion that no criminal can be reformed, then no mistake we commit in our lives can be be overlooked or forgiven.
Coming to Afzal, when there are cries that he was not given a proper judicial hearing, that itself is sufficient reason for a re-think on whether he should be given a irrevocable and severe punishment such as death.
We see criminals walking free throughout our country but if one is going to be hanged without getting proper judicial redress, we can place ourselves in his place to check whether a death sentence is better than giving a fair trial.
I believe that, unless a person is given a fair trial and found guilty beyond doubt, death penalty should be banned.
It's great to read your blogs, keep them coming!
Post a Comment