They were perceived as soft towards terrorism and bleeding heart sentimentalists when it came to meting out harsh punishment like sending people to gallows. But now the UPA 2 is going on an overdrive to live down that image.
First it was Ajmal Kasab. The government had to put up with lots of barbs and jokes in this regard by trollers on Facebook, Twitter and other sites. On every anniversary of 26/11 attacks newspapers used to put up stories as to how much was being spent on keeping Kasab alive - 'kill him, kill him' used to be the response on feedback message boards.
The apocryphal story of him being served biryani at Arthur Road jail in Mumbai was gorged by the masses with gusto and few bothered to take it with a pinch of salt.
But when the verdict was announced many of us patted on our backs that in India even a person like Kasab can get a fair trial. His was an open and shut case - the face of terror captured on CCTV cameras and relayed ad nauseum on TV. Though he had waged a war against the state he was given a civilian trial. Except for those opposed to death penalty in principle, not many tears were shed when he was hanged.
'Now what about Afzal Guru' was the loud thinking among the internet trollers and right wing jingoists. The focus shifted on a Kashmiri man accused of being the mastermind behind the attack on Parliament in 2001. He was awarded death sentence by the Supreme Court and his mercy petition was pending with the President.
The attack on seat of democracy always evokes strong emotion among any populace. Students of History may recall the infamous Gunpowder plot in England, when a person named Guido (Guy) Fawkes was on the verge of blowing up the British Parliament in 1605 (it is indeed an ironic reversal of fortune that Guy Fawkes masks are now used by hacktivists to fight for something as democratic as internet freedom).
Afzal Guru's case was not considered an open and shut affair, in fact legal experts have pointed out far too many discrepancies. However, be that as it may, the cloak and dagger secrecy with which the Government carried out his hanging, the way his family members were kept in the dark and the subsequent clampdowns in Kashmir would make African and South American dictators nod in approval. The moral high ground we had acquired in the Kasab trial was frittered away in this case.
Contrast this with 1989 when Indira Gandhi's assassins were hanged. Both Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh were allowed to contest the rejection of mercy petition by the President in the Supreme Court. When the court rejected it their date of execution was made public and their families were allowed to meet them.
Barely had the din over Afzal Guru subsided, the President rejected mercy petition of four Veerappan aides. They have at least been afforded the luxury to approach the Supreme Court. There are many more in the line - the killers of Rajiv Gandhi and late Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. It remains to be seen how the government is going to act against them.
Also Read: Bangalore Beat
First it was Ajmal Kasab. The government had to put up with lots of barbs and jokes in this regard by trollers on Facebook, Twitter and other sites. On every anniversary of 26/11 attacks newspapers used to put up stories as to how much was being spent on keeping Kasab alive - 'kill him, kill him' used to be the response on feedback message boards.
The apocryphal story of him being served biryani at Arthur Road jail in Mumbai was gorged by the masses with gusto and few bothered to take it with a pinch of salt.
But when the verdict was announced many of us patted on our backs that in India even a person like Kasab can get a fair trial. His was an open and shut case - the face of terror captured on CCTV cameras and relayed ad nauseum on TV. Though he had waged a war against the state he was given a civilian trial. Except for those opposed to death penalty in principle, not many tears were shed when he was hanged.
'Now what about Afzal Guru' was the loud thinking among the internet trollers and right wing jingoists. The focus shifted on a Kashmiri man accused of being the mastermind behind the attack on Parliament in 2001. He was awarded death sentence by the Supreme Court and his mercy petition was pending with the President.
The attack on seat of democracy always evokes strong emotion among any populace. Students of History may recall the infamous Gunpowder plot in England, when a person named Guido (Guy) Fawkes was on the verge of blowing up the British Parliament in 1605 (it is indeed an ironic reversal of fortune that Guy Fawkes masks are now used by hacktivists to fight for something as democratic as internet freedom).
Afzal Guru's case was not considered an open and shut affair, in fact legal experts have pointed out far too many discrepancies. However, be that as it may, the cloak and dagger secrecy with which the Government carried out his hanging, the way his family members were kept in the dark and the subsequent clampdowns in Kashmir would make African and South American dictators nod in approval. The moral high ground we had acquired in the Kasab trial was frittered away in this case.
Contrast this with 1989 when Indira Gandhi's assassins were hanged. Both Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh were allowed to contest the rejection of mercy petition by the President in the Supreme Court. When the court rejected it their date of execution was made public and their families were allowed to meet them.
Barely had the din over Afzal Guru subsided, the President rejected mercy petition of four Veerappan aides. They have at least been afforded the luxury to approach the Supreme Court. There are many more in the line - the killers of Rajiv Gandhi and late Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. It remains to be seen how the government is going to act against them.
Also Read: Bangalore Beat
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