Friday, May 7, 2010

In all fairness?

I have been quite surprised since last night. Ever since I heard that Kasab was finally going to be hanged, I was "glad" (for the lack of a better word) that he was getting his due at long last. And like many occasions, my "happiness" was unfounded and misinformed. It never struck me that there was going to be a mercy petition and the "facility" to move more courts.

Restraint and fairness are overrated virtues. After 2 and a half years, a man that was caught on camera with an AK 47 got a punishment that should have come a very long time ago. And this too is not final. Why is the government's spinelessness in putting an end to this matter being sugarcoated with words like "the restraint of the Indian people"? And which people are they talking about? Have they asked those that suffered/ survived these attacks or the rest of us mortal beings? Have they even seen what "the Indian people" are saying about this on Twitter, considering Twitter has been the cause of the downfall of some people who were misfits in a government whose policies and behaviour is otherwise clearly ancient? People in power are saying this is "victory" for the Indian Judicial System. A not-so-certain capital punishment for a man who deserves to have stones pelted at him till death. Judge me all you want, but I really think that even a gunshot isn't punishment enough for the man. This is not victory by a long shot, not yet at least.

And of course we have taken down the softest target we had for 26/11, with his accomplices still missing. THIS took us over 2 years. What does it say about our stand on terrorism? I think even Mumbaikars are taking their famous "spirit" a little too far and a little too seriously this time. Or is it just me who finds it absurd that people are bursting crackers to "celebrate" a job half done?

The judge says if they don't punish Kasab now, the Indian people will lose their faith in the judiciary. If you ask me - with contrasts like Sanjay Dutt being sent to jail while many with more serious criminal records go on to become heads of state or their close accomplices or important members of state governments, and of course Afzal Guru - I have lost my faith already.

5 comments:

piyu said...

I know.. our judiciary system has become such a joke.. He can still appeal in higher courts, move for presidential pardon and what not! He should be hanged immediately!

People like Afsal are still waiting for pardon.. and our spineless sytem allows for it.. It is such a shame :(..

Prateek Sur said...

it is the best part of the Indian judiciary that he wont be hanged..!!look it from this angle..if he's given the death punishment then what will remain the difference between him and us??what will remain the difference between the civilized us and the barbaric him??he should be given life sentence and that too not just 14 years..something like 50 years or so..then only it'll be just..hanging him is not the solution!!

Tamanna said...

Piyu, hmmm.. :-|

Prateek, you do realise that a life term leaves loose ends like prisoner exchange, don't you? If he goes back, it'll be a lost cause for us.

Anonymous said...

You echo my views on this. It is high time India dealt this issue with toughness and determination. No one can deny that Pakistan and terrorism are inseparable. When it comes to punishing perpetrators, some people preach about civility and mercy and all. This is all but farce and doesn't help the cause in any way. Let's learn from Russia and US. How they deal with those who threaten their sovereignty and security. India must take proactive measures. People like Afzal and Kasab should have been hanged long ago.

austere said...

No mercy.

Dithering makes me mad.