Mumbai, May 04: Echoing the sentiments of the aam admi, chief minister Ashok Chavan demanded the harshest punishment for Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab who was convicted by a fast track court.
Shedding the inhibitions of political ramifications in the absence of immediate elections, the Congress chanted the Shiv Sena and BJP’s mantra in raising its pitch seeking the death penalty for Kasab who was among the 10 terrorists who attacked Mumbai on November 26, 2008.
Sensing strong public reaction to the Kasab verdict, political parties have already decided to launch their campaign giving lessons on the war against terrorism and virtues of the democratic system. Not surprisingly, deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal said, “The decision on Kasab has raised the prestige and honour of the Indian law and judiciary system in the world. It has proved that the Indian law and judiciary is supreme.”
Underplaying the setback to the home department for its inability to furnish clinching evidence to substantiate charges against two Indians, Fahim and Sabauddin, Chavan said, “I will have to discuss the matter with the home ministry to ascertain facts.”
But insiders in the government revealed, “The union home ministry is upset with the state at its haste in acting against Fahim and Sabauddin without proper homework.”
Congress leaders are already voicing their unhappiness over how the shoddy work of the home ministry (NCP) always leaves them red-faced.
The Shiv Sena and the BJP, in a veiled warning, urged the government to ensure that once the court order was made public, it is executed without delay. Sena (MP) Bharatkumar Raut said, “I only hope Ajmal Kasab does not become an Afzal Guru.”
“The Congress, which is lauding Kasab’s conviction, had disobeyed the apex court’s verdict in the Afzal Guru case. It is nothing short of the contempt of court,” he added.
Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde also reminded the centre of the old saying, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
The aftermath of 26/11 saw the Democratic Front government asking its then chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and home minister RR Patil to resign. At Centre, Union home minister Shivraj Patil was forced to resign. The Kasab conviction has reopened the DF government’s wounds. As a senior minister said, “It is no longer a battle against Kasab or LeT. The ruling Congress, under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, will have to be seen adopting a tough stance against Pakistan.”
As Congress spokesperson Hussain Dalwai said, “By hanging Kasab we will have to send out a strong message to the world.” Raut said, “A terrorist has no religion or country. The government should act.”
-Agencies