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“In the first batch sent to the President, there were 203 signatures. About 15-20 more signatures were obtained in the second batch sent to the President,” Chaudhry told The Indian Express.
Prominent signatories included Kasab’s lawyers Amin Solkar and Abbas Kazmi, Gautam Babbar of the United Nations, senior lawyer Collin Gonsalves, writers Mahasweta Devi and Naresh Fernandes, actors Nandita Das and Aamir Bashir, retired Director of the National Police Academy Shankar Sen, film-maker Anusha Rizvi and many senior journalists.
Professors from leading institutions like the London School and Economics, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, School of African and Asian Studies, Delhi University and Jadavpur University and members of groups like the Citizen’s Forum for Civil Liberties, Forum Against Opression of Women, Mumbai also signed the petition.
In his letter to the President on October 31 Chaudhry said, “This petition has been endorsed by 203 citizens of India. I request you... to exercise your prerogative of mercy in favour of Ajmal Kasab and commute his death sentence to life imprisonment.” Chaudhry had said Kasab’s execution should not be allowed to take place unopposed, even if the protest be only a whimper. He wrote, “We believe it is wrong and immoral to kill a human being by way of revenge or punishment. Executing Kasab in the name of the Indian people will only feed a base blood lust that will make society more blood-thirsty, vengeful and violent.”
“...keeping Kasab in jail for the rest of his life allows for possibility of him regaining his humanity, repenting his crime and atoning for the harm he caused. That would be a big victory in our battle against terrorism,” the letter read.
“In the land of Buddha, Mahavira and Gandhiji, let it not be said there is no place in our hearts for mercy,” the letter concluded.
Had Pakistan just-fully and politically owned Kasab, had the Terrorist Groups condemned his act, had Kasab expressed his regret for the brutal-ruthless killing he could have expected The President's amnesty. His supporters, Pakistan Government's & sympathizers of the terrorist groups backing-up always gave a moral boost for his sinful act. He had no regression or confession until it was too late. Four years was a good long time for Kasab to conciliate but he failed. India has been and will continue to be a Mature State. There is room for amnesty but not for a venomous creature. It should be recollected that in his statement in the court he had expressed no regret for his heinous deed but had promised to repeat such incidents if given opportunity and support. These consequences led to India's penal decision. How long could Kasab live on Indian Tax Payer's money and with no guilt. The penal decision was the only option for India.
Had Pakistan just-fully and politically owned Kasab, had the Terrorist Groups condemned his act, had Kasab expressed his regret for the brutal-ruthless killing he could have expected The President's pardon. His supporters, Pakistan Government's backing-up always gave him a moral boost for his sinful act. He had no regression or confession until it was too late. The consequences led to India's penal decision. How long could Kasab live on Indian Tax Payer's money and with no guilt. The penal decision was the only option for India.
Yes, What a wonderful thought! All these learned people forget to learn from History. IC 814 Hijack Indian Airlines Hijack 1999, yaad aaya. Should we wait for such incidence to happen.. And Believe it or not, Britishers were civilised , so Gandhiji strategy worked. We are dealing with Barbarious Civilisation Called Pakistan, who are merciless and inhuman in their approach. Kasab was mad dog, and we all know how to deal with it.. Just check out those Taliban videos on youtube, how the woman ae being stoned to death... Kasab ki soch bi wais thi... No mercy for Terrorist. We must deal with terroist with iron hand.. Soo Sonar ek lohar ki...
WAIT AND SEE. PAKISTAN IS ARRANGING THEIR TRIP THERE AS STATE GUEST.
