The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Ajmal’s trial

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Friday, May 29, 2009
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Ajmal’s trial

With more and more witnesses identifying Ajmal Amir ‘Kasab’ — the lone surviving terrorist of the Mumbai attack which claimed the lives of 160 people and injured 200 — is enjoying tremendous media attention. By giving him a fair trial we might have proved that we are a democracy, unlike many other countries. But a prolonged trial may lead to people losing interest in the case.

The chances of ‘Kasab’ escaping stringent punishment may increase. Let not justice delayed become justice denied.

S. Sundaresh,

Bangalore

‘Kasab,’ according to media reports, often smiles in court when the trial is on. He perhaps smiles at the thought that it took five months for us to start the trial of a person who killed people in the open. He perhaps smiles because we took months to declare that he is a Pakistani, he is more than 18, and that he used an AK 47 to shoot at people. He perhaps smiles at the system that treats him like an Indian and has provided him a defence lawyer. He perhaps smiles at the thought of being alive even after being captured in action. He must be confident of living for a few more years, even returning to Pakistan.

P.V. Tantry,

Bangalore

A man from Pakistan walks into our country with his accomplices and kills close to 200 of our citizens. In return, we put our heart and soul into defending him. In the process, we ask eyewitnesses irrelevant questions — do they know the difference between an AK 46 and AK 47 and the like.

True, the law should take its own course but is it necessary to waste the time of our courts, already suffering from huge backlog, and public money? Is it not time to send a strong and clear message to terrorists-in-waiting — that they will be shown no mercy? What we are witnessing now is a media campaign that borders on sympathy for the accused.

We would do well to remember what Don Marquis said: “Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.”

Amit Arora,

Mumbai

Terror and torture

This refers to the article “Does terror justify torture?”" (May 27). Yes, terror justifies torture because terrorists are brutal and cruel to their victims. There are many voices representing the perpetrators of terror but not many speak up for the victims. Unrecognised, mutilated bodies strewn around seem to have no effect on those who argue for the humane treatment of terror accused.

The security agencies need to question the accused to get the details of an incident. Asking the trained cadres a few simple questions will yield nothing. We have no option other than tolerating some degree of police highhandedness for the sake of national security.

V. Rajan,

Thiruvananthapuram

One has rarely heard of an instance in which the interrogation of a hardcore criminal or terrorist has yielded anything without the use of torture. It will not be prudent on the part of rights activists to demand a blanket ban on the use of torture while interrogating terrorists who indulge in merciless killings.

What can be insisted on is the judicious use of torture when other efforts at questioning prove ineffective. There should be no room for misplaced sympathy for terrorists.

K.D. Viswanaathan,

Coimbatore

Deplorable

The brutal racial attack on a group of Indian students by some Australian teenagers is deplorable. Indians abroad face blatant discrimination despite their huge contribution to the service and intellectual sectors. The weekend attack in Melbourne is not an isolated instance. It is indicative of the deep-rooted anti-Indian sentiment. It is high time the Centre set up a separate Ministry to look after the interests of Indians abroad.

Nisha Gopalan,

Chennai

The attack on the Indian students, one of whom is stated to be in a critical condition, is unfortunate. There are many Indians pursuing higher studies in countries such as Australia and Singapore.

Such incidents send a shiver down the spines of students living abroad. The Australian government should take concrete steps to curb racism.

Sansar Lochan,

Singapore

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