The BJP government in Gujarat has decided to put on hold its decision to seek the death sentence for the former Gujarat Minister, Mayaben Kodnani, and Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi in the Naroda-Patiya massacre case, following stiff resistance from the Sangh Parivar.
The Narendra Modi-led government has asked the special prosecutor probing the case of massacre of 91 people during the 2002 riots to put on hold its decision to press for the death sentence for Ms. Kodnani and Bajrangi. Kodnani was alleged to have played a key role in the killings, the single bloodiest episode of the three-day riots.
The government would now seek further legal opinion on its decision, sources at the Secretariat said.
Last month, the government asked the law department to get the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to file an appeal in the Gujarat High Court, seeking the death sentence for the high-profile BJP leader — who was forced to resign from the Modi government after a case was filed against her — and longer sentences for the other convicts. This was to challenge the life sentence awarded to Bajrangi and a 28-year term to Kodnani by a sessions court.
Sources in the government said the Law Department had asked the SIT’s chief prosecutor to defer seeking enhanced sentences for the convicts. The decision came after pressure mounted from the Sangh Parivar, which wondered how “our very own government could even think of recommending the death sentence when it should have protected us,” a saffron leader told The Hindu, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Keywords: Godhra train carnage, post-Godhra riots, Naroda Patiya riots case, Maya Kodnani conviction, death penalty
This articles clearly shows your bias.
The writing has been tuned to assign motives. Gujrat govt has atelast gone so far as to arrest and punish the rioters.
Contrast this with the central and Delhi govt who are protecting Sajjan Kumar et al for last 30 yrs.
So if Guj govt. asks for death penalty, its a stunt. But if they reconsider it its going soft on criminals.
After the defeat of BJP in Karnataka, Modi would have understood that
he has very little appeal outside Gujarat, and without the whole
hearted support of Sangh Parivar, BJP may not get the requisite
numbers in 2014 elections. It may also be his assessment that the
Congress is down but not out.
The JD(u) & Shiv Sena have emphasised that he can not brow beat them
in the manner he has treated the seniors in BJP.
Hence this somersault.
For the first time in the last 12 years his macho image has taken a
beating.
Gujarat genocide is a phenomenon that can not be forgotten. The massacre
in order to disappear from the affected people should be punished
victims. They must provide for the death penalty.
@narayanan
Your comment has nothing to do the article published. If you want to
understand how it is really a punishment, spend 6-12 months in jail and
have a real feel. Death Penalty is not an answers when court has
punished them for 30 years or so.
This is of course expected. How will Modi's Government appeal for death
penalty for "one of their own"? Modi's core of support still comes from
right and far right religious groups and he will not do anything that
affects that support base. If this crime doesn't fit the most heinous of
crimes criterion, what will?
Hmmm, looks like a lot of Sanghis (including a few in this comments section!) are uncomfortably squirming in their seats upon reading this news. What is most ironic is that these are the people who demand "maximum justice" (read: death penalty) for even minor crimes! Even more pertinent is the fact that their attempt at spin--that the request for death penalty is a sign of the Gujarat chief minister's tough stand--has now fallen flat on its face.
The irony is that Mr.Modi and other BJP leaders were critical of the UPA Government for the delay in hanging Afzal Guru. Now they are having a re-think of death penalty when it affects one of "their own people". Looks like Mr.Modi thinks that humanitarianism only applies to people belonging to one religion and not to others. Hypocrisy at its worst.
This is a typical illustration of distortion of a news item. Where was
the need to impute motives to a simple decision of the Gujarat
Government, by suggesting that they were bowing to the right wing
forces? Your publication is ultra left wing and even you do not support
Death penalty. Does it mean that you are equal to the right wing forces?
One fails to understand why, when it comes to reporting on BJP generally
and Narendra Modi, specifically,does your publication come out with such
distortion of facts and innuendos.
It is not clear how these people have been punished. What is the
suffering they go through? Given that they would get food, shelter and
clothing, and will not have to be productive even to the extent of
earning their maintenance, it would appear there is no punishment.
Perhaps they will enjoy periodic paroles, and social visits from
relatives and so on. They may even enjoy a degree of freedom of
expression and write their opinions etc.
I do not see what is punishment? How are punishments a deterrent? and
what is the impact of this verdict on future criminals.
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