New Delhi:
The drama presiding over the hanging of Yakub Memon finally ended at 6.35 AM on July 30 when the 1993 Mumbai blasts convict was executed in Nagpur jail. But does that change anything?
The accused is executed; politicians and dignitaries hail it as an example; blasts victims call it a relief; media get some material for today’s heated debates (TRPs); activists are busy condemning death penalty but what next?
Yakub, who turned 53 today, lost his life in vain or for a cause? Let us take a look at the four questions which arise from the death penalty.
Why was he hanged?
TV reports and all heated arguments lead to a single agreement that Yakub was not the mastermind of the attack but was an accomplice. It was Tiger Memon and Dawood Ibrahim who actually plotted the dreadful incident yet Yakub was hanged. On the other hand it is still not clear when Modi government will expatriate the two accused to India.
Why so late?
We all know that ‘Justice delayed is Justice denied’, the case proves it well. Yakub was hanged 22 years after the blasts and Mumbai awaited for 22 years to get solace that too not complete as the two main accused are still at large.
Does death penalty assures justice?
Another question which arises from this hanging is- does death penalty assures justice. How will killing a convict satisfy a victim- one must understand that it is not satisfaction but revenge which has found its way again in the democracy. How can killing a human irrespective of any crime or act be justified?
What next?
Now, after his hanging what can one expect from the government. Yakub Menon was hanged but why not Rajiv Gandhi’s killers or 1993 Delhi bomb blast case convict and Khalistani terrorist Devinderpal Singh Bhullar?
Why the apex court commuted their death sentence to life when Yakub’s mercy petition was cancelled repeatedly?
Also, is Modi government trying to gain political mileage by promoting death penalty for terrorists?
Well, Mr Narendra Modi ‘Precaution is always better than cure’. And, it is high time your government should stop depending upon death institutions instead protect the interests of people so that they don’t follow the path of terror.
