The Hindu : New Delhi News : Take sympathetic view of Sarabjit case: Minister

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Take sympathetic view of Sarabjit case: Minister

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna has said India had consistently urged Pakistan to take a sympathetic and humanitarian view of the Sarabjit Singh case and hoped Islamabad would find it possible to do so.

“We have seen reports that the Pakistan Supreme Court has turned down a review petition regarding the death sentence awarded to Sarabjit Singh. We are not, however, aware of the details of this judgment,” Mr. Krishna said.

Sarabjit’s case had touched the sentiments of many people in India who have been following it, he pointed out.

Congress hopes well

The Congress hoped Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari would consider Sarabjit Singh’s case on humanitarian grounds and ensure his early release.

Talking to reporters here, party spokesperson Manish Tewari said the government and the party always believed Mr. Zardari would take into account the facts and circumstances of the matter, and take a humanitarian view on Sarabjit Singh’s mercy petition.

Denying that there was a “diplomatic failure” on India’s part in pursuing the matter to secure Sarabjit’s release, Mr. Tewari said the government was addressing the matter pro-actively, and the case discussed at the level of the External Affairs Minister.

“The government continues to be engaged with the Pakistan government on the matter,” he said.

“We would like the Pakistan government to deal with the mercy petition in a compassionate manner and pave the way for Sarabjit’s early release,” he added.

On whether the Congress believed it was a case of mistaken identity, Mr. Tewari said the party had no reason to disbelieve Sarabjit’s family.

“However, the matter is in the court; and we are hopeful that the President’s attitude would be sympathetic.”

Personal liberty

Reacting to the Congress’ stand on the French government’s stand on burqa, Mr. Tewari said dress was a personal liberty as long as it did not offend public morality. “No government in a democratic and liberal set-up should have any objection to it, and it is the spirit of democracy to respect traditions,” he said. There could be no uniform brand of democracy or a uniform dress code, he added.

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