Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Respite for Sarabjit

The Pakistan government’s decision to postpone the execution of Sarabjit Singh, sentenced for carrying out bombings in Lahore, must have come as a relief to his family. Although it is a temporary respite, it is reassuring to see the Pakistan government respond to the pleas of Sarabjit’s family and the Indian government. Islamabad’s decision should not make way for complacency though. Our government ought to be wary of the plight of all the prisoners being held in Pakistani jails on charges of espionage. The helplessness of these prisoners, caught between the acrimony of two nations, has come to the fore.

Sumathi Chandrashekaran,

Chennai

The editorial “Clemency for Sarabjit” (March 19) is timely. It is well known that both countries employ the economically weak for ground level espionage and disown them once they are caught.

Many innocent people lose their lives and limbs in “interrogations” on both sides. As suggested, there is need for both countries to evolve a positive system of dealing with the poor, orphaned ‘spy.’

V. Vasudevan,

Puducherry

Every Indian is saddened by the black warrant issued to Sarabjit Singh. At the same time, it is a mistake to compare him with Afzal Guru, sentenced to death for his role in Parliament attack. While Afzal Guru is a terrorist, Sarabjit’s role in the bomb blasts has not been proved conclusively.

Those who are comparing Sarabjit and Afzal Guru are doing a great disservice to the government’s anti-terrorism drive. The comparison will put Pakistan in a win-win situation. If Sarabjit is spared, India will be expected to extend the same gesture to Afzal Guru.

R. Vaidheeswaran,

Singapore

An innocent person should not lose his life due to the strife between the two nations. India and Pakistan may forget the past and come closer tomorrow, if not today.

By hanging Sarabjit, Pakistan has nothing to win but a lot to lose as the peace process will suffer a setback. By pardoning him, Pakistan can win the hearts of all Indians. The gesture will enhance its image in the world forum.

M. Imthiaz Ahmed,

Chennai

Kashmir Singh, sentenced to death for spying, was freed after languishing in jail for 35 long years. Once he was back in India, he claimed that he was indeed a spy, obviously angering and insulting the Pakistani authorities. For them, there was no guarantee that Sarabjit would not, after crossing the Wagah border, claim that he played a role in the 1990 bomb blasts.

Hundreds of thousands of people are losing their lives in bomb blasts worldwide. Those responsible for such barbaric acts deserve no mercy at all. If Sarabjit is innocent, he deserves all the support but not otherwise. In any case, the fact that he has languished for 17 long years in a Lahore jail under sub-human conditions should be a strong case in his favour.

Prabhu Harle,

Bangalore

Is it our case that Sarabjit’s conviction was flawed? Or are we telling Pakistan that if someone commits acts of terror here, we will hang him but if your court sentences one of us for terrorist acts on your soil you must pardon him?

When a person takes to espionage or terrorism, he or she renders all civilised laws impotent. Such people must not be shown mercy by the law they rubbish.

K. Anilkumar,

Tirupur

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