Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Justice for Bilkis

The editorial “Beyond the Bilkis Bano case” (Jan. 23) was factual and thought-provoking. Although the Supreme Court’s timely interventions — of handing over the case to the CBI and transferring the case from Gujarat to Maharashtra — deserve to be applauded, the apathy of the Narendra Modi government to the plight of the victims of communal riots will continue to worry all Indians.

J. Eden Alexander,

Thanjavur

Life imprisonment for 11 of the accused in the Bilkis Bano case has met the ends of justice. Gang rape of a pregnant woman and the killing of a child by smashing it to the ground expose the most inhuman and ugly face of the post-Godhra riots. The political connection of the culprits and the role played by their political bosses in the riots should be uncovered and those responsible punished. The nation is grateful to the Supreme Court for its timely intervention. Bilkis certainly deserves praise for her relentless and resolute fight for justice against heavy odds.

S. Subramaniam,

Ramanathapuram

Life sentence for 11 of the accused is inadequate in view of the heinous crime committed by them. They murdered innocent people, including an infant, just because they belonged to a particular religion. They deserve the death penalty. If this case does not fall under the rarest of rare category, it is meaningless to retain the death penalty in our statute book.

K. Sivaraman,

Gummidipoondi

I join J.S. Bandukwala (Letters, Jan. 22) in saluting Bilkis Bano who, with her husband’s support, courageously faced the tortuous court proceedings although she was concerned about her family’s security. The young woman has proved beyond doubt the resilience of woman power.

Salman Sultan,

Azamgarh

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