Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Sarabjit’s case

It was really painful to see the daughters of Sarabjit Singh, who is facing the gallows in Pakistan, crying with a photo of their father in their hands. I wish the Pakistan government could grant reprieve to Sarabjit. Islamabad’s decision to hang Sarabjit seems to have been influenced by the custodial death of Pakistani national Khalid Mehmood in India. But taking Sarabjit’s life is no answer to it, especially when his involvement in the Lahore blasts has not been proved beyond doubt. The life of a person is valuable irrespective of the caste, religion, and the nation he belongs to.

Jaseem Abdurahman,

Bangalore

Kashmir Singh’s disclosure on landing in India after spending 35 years in a Pakistani jail that he was a spy, and Mehmood’s death in Indian custody have sealed the fate of many Indians, including Sarabjit Singh, languishing in Pakistani jails. But his case should be pursued at the highest level even if the chances for a reprieve are remote.

Sibani Sankar Samantaray,

Bhubaneswar

Sarabjit Singh will be hanged not because he was a spy but because of Kashmir Singh’s ignorance and the media propaganda of his ignorance. It is all because of us, let us not blame Pakistan or Pervez Musharraf.

A. Amudhavanan,

Alangulam

In the 17 years of his life in prison, Sarabjit has possibly died everyday, if Kashmir Singh’s account of Indian prisoners’ treatment in Pakistani jails is to be believed. The government should prevail upon the Pakistani authorities to spare Sarabjit. Pakistan can make a noble gesture and reiterate its willingness to normalise relations with India.

K.V. Seetharamaiah,

Hassan

The trials of people accused of bomb blasts and similar attacks in India are marked by the admission of inadmissible evidence, the glossing over of the prosecution’s illegalities, the hostile atmosphere in courts, the media trial and the difficulties of lawyers defending the accused. Under these circumstances, it becomes impossible to distinguish innocence from guilt. The situation becomes worse when Pakistani nationals are claimed to be involved. It cannot be very different in the case of Indian nationals accused of similar crimes in Pakistan.

While the death penalty deserves to be abolished even otherwise, its award in such dubious circumstances is particularly unacceptable. Sarabjit’s execution will provoke a clamour for reprisal and lead to more hangings in India and Pakistan.

Harish Dhawan & Nagraj Adve,

New Delhi

While the whole country is looking for some way to save Sarabjit, the BJP has started adding political masala to the issue by recalling what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said when Mohammed Haneef was detained in Australia for his alleged role in the Glasgow terror attack. On wonders how Dr. Singh can change Sarabjit’s fate, which is in Pakistan’s hands.

Akifuddin,

Bangalore

The government’s averment that it has conveyed the strong sentiments of our people and requested for some clemency for Sarabjit is logical given that India too has a lot of Pakistani nationals in its jails facing serious charges. The new government in Pakistan should seize this opportunity and impress upon President Musharraf the significance of pardoning Sarabjit.

The BJP’s attempt to give the issue a communal colour by linking it with Dr. Haneef’s case shows that even on a humanitarian issue, the party lacks sensitivity.

J. Anantha Padmanabhan,

Srirangam

The BJP’s attempt to draw a parallel between Sarabjit and Dr. Haneef’s case and its poser to the Prime Minister why he is not spending sleepless nights over Sarabjit are inappropriate. Dr. Haneef was detained on baseless suspicion. In Sarabjit’s case, India’s options are limited.

V.K. Sathyavan Nair,

Kottayam

It is strange that the political party which has been hounding the government for its delay in executing Afzal Guru, sentenced for his role in the attack on Parliament, is demanding that the government bring pressure on Pakistan to save Sarabjit, who has been sentenced for his alleged role in terrorist activities. The BJP and its ilk stand exposed.

N. Divakar,

Mysore

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