Although the decision to hang Ajmal Kasab — the lone Pakistani terrorist captured alive during the 26/11 Mumbai attack — came after much controversy, justice prevailed in the end. Any government action is bound to be opposed by a few. Kasab’s case is no exception. When he was in jail, many people criticised the government for not hanging him. Now that he has been hanged, some argue that India has acted like a blood-thirsty nation. That the Pakistan government has not reacted to Kasab’s hanging is no surprise.
We, as a nation, can take comfort from the fact that we offered a fair trial to even a terrorist who killed hundreds of our fellow citizens. Kasab’s reported last words — “I swear by God, I won’t commit such a mistake ever again” — show that the Indian soil turned a terrorist into a human being. We have proved to the world that we are a democracy where everyone, including a terrorist, has a right to speak. That we detain our own citizens who express their views on a social networking site is another matter.
B. Vijayalakshmi,
Chennai
A long and arduous wait for justice for the families of the innocent people murdered on 26/11 ended on November 21. Kasab’s execution has reinforced people’s faith and hope in the criminal justice system.
Shaik Rizwan Ahmed,
Hyderabad
November 21, 2012, will be remembered as a historic day by the victims and survivors of 26/11.
K. Chandrasekaran,
Chennai
The government did what it had to do. It had no other option. Kasab’s trial and sentencing bear testimony to India’s commitment to the rule of law, and the dignified patience and perseverance of victims’ families. Ours is a mature nation that gave a fair trial to a mass murderer. We should not gloat over his execution. Let us hope political parties will desist from stoking ultra-nationalist passions.
T.K.S. Thathachari,
Secunderabad
I turned the television on this morning and was surprised to see that such a big thing had happened without any hullabaloo. I appreciate the manner in which the execution was carried out — without leaking information and by avoiding any political drama. The execution has brought justice to the innocent victims and martyrs of 26/11. India has sent out the message that it will not tolerate terror attacks.
Tarun Girdhar,
Chandigarh
India wants to live in peace with its neighbours, including Pakistan. But here was a case of blatant and planned terrorism, generated from across the border, which needed to be taken to its logical conclusion.
S. Chidambaresa Iyer,
Chennai
Kasab’s four-year-long trial is symbolic of the fact that however obvious a case against anyone in India, and however extreme people’s emotions, no one is punished on the basis of public perception.
It is the rule of law and the procedure established by law that are supreme here. Hail the largest democracy.
Kanishk Verma,
Jaipur
We have at last sent out the strong message that terrorism will be dealt with severely. India should continue to pressure Pakistan — with the help of the international community — to bring those behind 26/11 to immediate justice. Unless this is achieved, the souls of those who lost their lives in the attack will not rest in peace.
S. Parthasarathy,
Chennai
