The Centre has stayed the hanging. Now it must commute the sentence.
“And what if excess of love
Bewildered them till they died?”
W. B. Yeats, Easter 1916
It is a relief that the Centre has stayed the hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana. Though I have represented many such prisoners, he is not my client. However, his case has disturbing implications for our country, our democracy and, I dare say, for our humanity.
Balwant Singh was a member of the Babbar Khalsa and a party to the assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. Sixteen other persons died in the blast. He was arrested in December 1995, and sentenced to death in 2006. The High Court confirmed his death sentence in October 2010 and a few days ago he was given his execution. He has spent the last 16 years in prison.
What the records say
Of all those prosecuted in this case, Balwant Singh alone confessed his guilt. He refused to contest the prosecution's charges, challenge its evidence, engage a lawyer or accept a court-appointed lawyer. Instead, he spoke from the dock and from the prison through statements to the courts and letters to the judges. His story, as reproduced in the courts' records, is extracted below.
Balwant Singh tied the belt containing the explosives on Dilawar Singh who had blown himself up while killing the chief minister. He said his conscience would not permit him to deny his role in the killing when Dilawar and others had sacrificed their lives for it. A Punjabi couplet in his handwriting was found by the police: “My comrades died in the hope that I render their pain into a song. If I keep quiet, their souls will not be at peace.”
Balwant Singh explained his actions. He described the deep wounds on the Sikh psyche caused by the despoiling of the Golden Temple by the security forces during Operation Blue Star. He spoke of the pogrom following Indira Gandhi's assassination, where Sikhs were burnt, mutilated and left for carrion, funeral rites denied, when women were dishonoured, the youth emasculated and homes burnt. He asked the Chief Justice who were the terrorists: those who did these acts or those who defended the victims? He said human beings can fight such injustice and oppression only by becoming human bombs and sacrificing themselves. Balwant Singh said the government of this country had killed its own people. He said Beant Singh had licensed fake encounter killings, abductions, and secret cremations which remained unpunished to date. Balwant Singh said he did not regret his actions. He said the government had mocked Sikh sentiments by honouring and promoting those that led this pogrom. He did not want to beg for his life, and if the consequence of his rebellion was a death sentence, he would embrace it willingly. Balwant Singh refused to appeal to the Supreme Court and instructed his friends and family not to petition the government for mercy. He also turned away social, religious and political groups wanting to petition the government. He said he wanted to live with respect and dignity and if the state wanted to kill him, he wanted to die honourably. Balwant Singh has written his will and donated his organs for the use of others.
Commute the sentence
The State and Central governments have powers to commute death sentences after their final judicial confirmation. This power, unlike judicial power, is of the widest amplitude and un-circumscribed, except that its exercise must be bona fide. Issues often alien and irrelevant to legal adjudication — morality, public good, social and policy considerations — are intrinsically germane to the exercise of the government's powers. These powers exist because in appropriate cases the strict requirements of law need to be tempered and departed from to reach a truly just outcome in the widest sense of the word. The government's powers to commute a death sentence thus operate as a national conscience.
Every citizen has a right to petition the government to commute any death sentence, since the state's power to take life emanates from the people and executions are carried out in our name. As one who opposes the death penalty on the grounds that the state should not have the right to take life, it is irrelevant whether the condemned prisoner wants to live or die. I therefore petition the government to commute Balwant Singh's death sentence.
Indeed, I find myself stricken with paralysis in the face of his compelling, courageous and principled position. Incriminating evidence against accused persons is routinely challenged by them in courts, even though many of them are actually guilty. The staunchest political beliefs wilt under the threat of a death sentence or lifelong incarceration. Balwant Singh's courage, conviction and honesty in the face of this threat mark him as one apart. That his cause is not our cause does not diminish our respect for him or mitigate our collective loss in the event of his execution.
Balwant Singh's refusal or the reluctance of any citizen or organisation to petition the state for commutation does not preclude the state from suo moto reviewing his case. The government is obliged to do so, for it, and not the courts, have the final word in such matters.
The use of the death penalty in such cases is extremely problematic and potentially divisive. Balwant Singh's case graphically illustrates a spiral of violence, revenge and reprisals. Further violence, albeit state-sanctioned, could be used to legitimise earlier violence and perpetuate the spiral. Let us show that the justice we administer is not victor's justice but one tempered by humility, compassion and humanity.
The Punjab troubles are behind us now, but the ghosts still linger. In the name of India's territorial integrity, the government used questionable methods to put down the Khalistan movement. Will executing Balwant Singh do us credit? When, as a nation, we have condoned the government's excesses, can we not now reconcile with Balwant Singh? Has not enough blood been shed? Will we remain silent in the face of yet more blood-letting to avenge an old feud? O, when may it suffice?
(The author is a lawyer practising in the Bombay High Court.)
peopleget divided on khalistan issue.Matter needs a thorough researchThe problemwas the result of division of
India.Muslims got Pakistan.Britishers asked Sikhs u needseparate state?Congress leaders Gandhi and Pt Nehru promised sikhs full freedom in free India.Sikhs were made to beleive that whole punjab will bein India.Congress conspired divided Punjab to 2.one went to Pakistan&2ndPart to India.Sikhs felt deceived their motherland Punjabland of 5 riverswas cut into pieces.When everybody was enjoying freedom in 1947.Punjabis were massacred,raped3 of 5 rivers went to pakistan Punjab being a farming state furtherdivided into states like himachalharyana creating rukus.Bhindranwale asked sikhs sacrified lot for india dont need khalistan needjustice equal rights.1978 Nirankari shooting incident on sikhs justice denied,voice suppressedpolitical influence.watch youtube videos on bhindranwale called for independent media.no response,media under Mrs Gandhi,state controlled no voiceheard led to..
The Hindu is the epitome of free speech. Congratulations to the editors for allowing a less popular perspective to see the light of the day. Such an article could not have been published by the bigoted editors of the Tribune (founded by Dyal Singh Majithia) in the Punjab. And Mr. Chaudhry, you are a bold man and deserve the appreciation of every civilized human being for speaking your mind with such eloquence. The wheels of justice should turn equally for all Indians, including the Punjab Police butchers such as K.P.S. Gill who indiscriminately killed thousands of Sikhs in the name of national security, along with nazis like Sajjan Kumar and Kamal Nath who roams the streets of Delhi under government protection. Let the state hang these mass murderers before it calls Rajoana a terrorist.
It slightly disappointing to see that the voices that SEEM to be critical of Mr.
Chaudhry are non-Sikhs, and those that endorse his arguments are Sikhs.
What was amazing about this piece in the first place is that a non-Sikh was able to
put himself in the shoes of the "other".
For true peace to be realized, more people have to truly understand what it feels
like to be the "other." India will continue to find temporary respite from violence -
- the peace you see in Punjab today -- and not permanent solutions to its
"thousand mutinies" (as Naipaul has called them) unless enough people resist the
knee-jerk reactions such as those voices critical of Mr. Chaudhry's attempt to
understand the "other."
Incidentally, Balwant Singh is quite clear that his martyrdom will infuse a dormant,
perhaps dying Khalistani movement, with new energy. Those seeking his hanging
might think twice about the consequences of that action. Punjab has a history of
producing Bhagat Singhs and Balwant Singhs.
Congrats to Author
During these years around 50,000 Sikhs including men, women and children were killed in the name of various police operations( Source Amnesty International)
Indian state and justice system has systematically failed the Sikh people and it was precisely the gross human rights violations of Sikhs in Punjab under Beant Singh which caused Rajoana to assassinate Beant Singh.
Balwant Singh Rajoana may be a terrorist, but for many innocent families whose near and dear ones were killed by the Police and for many thousands who were saved from Beant Singh he is a Gallant Saviour
and yes
“Terrorism is terrorism” even if practised by a country recognized as the world’s largest“democracy”.
During the dark days of 90's around 50,000 Sikhs including men, women and children were killed in the name of various police operations( Source Amnesty International) Under the leadership of then Chief Minister Beant Singh, free reign was given to the police to harass, arrest, detain, torture, and kill any suspected “separatists” with complete impunity. These two young Police Officers took to the task of assassinating Chief Minister of Punjab who was responsible for the oppressive state of affairs in Punjab at the time.After the assassination, there was a marked improvement in the number of innocent Sikhs being detained, tortured and killed in police custody.So the question remains, why two police officers decided that they needed to assassinate the head of state of Punjab?:simply because the massive killing spree of Sikhs had gone too far for their conscience to bear and it needed to stop.
Terrorism is Terrorism even if practised by a country recognized as the worlds largest democracy
Some disturbing thoughts in my mind.
1984, so many Sikhs were killed, burnt, rendered homeless, and yet not a
single execution to punish the crimes committed? What is a government,
law, police etc meant for? There has to be accountability
I think 'The Hindu' must be given credit for publishing this enlightning article. I would like to add the following thoughts. I also ask the question "How many of those guilty of killing Sikhs in New Delhi and other cities have been given death sentences?" Although India is a secular state, however I do feel that the minorities and those less fortunate have had to put up with a justice system, which on the whole is good, favours those who have political clout.
Thank you to the author as this is the first article that has tried to understand why Balwant Singh did what he did. Firstly, a terrorist is someone who targets innocent people and any sikh who has ever done that is then a terrorist and not a sikh. In my eyes, Beant Singh was a terrorist, he was responsible for the abduction and killings of thousands of innocent sikhs, who were then cremated like orphans. Ask those thousands of mothers and families in Punjab who have lost their men, their boys. If that wasn't genocide and revenge, then what would you call it?
A true sikh is someone who fights against injustice and defends the weak. Dilawar singh and Balwant Singh didn't target any innocent individuals but yes 16 innocent people did also die and for that they should and have done their punishment. The truth is after Beant Singh died, the killings stopped. If it means that the world wants to call him a terrorist,then so be it, but he saved thousands more sikhs from the same fate.
As a Sikh I have struggled with this for a whole number of reasons, the main one being the killing of 16 innocent people and then being made a living Martyr. What happened in the Punjab was dreadful and disturbing but the killing of more innocent lives doesn’t justify the cause. I don’t agree with the hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana , especially as he has already served a life sentence but don’t agree with him being made a living Martyr.
To all those who consider Balwant Singh Rajaona a "terrorist" and that the solution is to hang him, please take off your blinkers and look back into Indian history (Sikh history) in particular. When the Mughal rulers were forcefully converting into Muslims and killing those who refused,kidnapping their wives and daughters and selling them off for peanuts in Ghazni, the Sikhs were the one who stood up for them and that too with weapons. Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself proclaimed "If all else fails, raising the sword is just and pious". As a result, his call for arms shook and destroyed the Mughal empire which the Hindus now happily proclaim as Hindustan.
If these same people crying out for the hanging were there, I am sure that they would have also asked for the hanging of the Sikhs who saved the Hindu women from reaching Ghazni and also Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself.
Beant Singh was a butcher of Sikh Youth (most of whom were innocent). Exterminating him saved thousands of others
The Hindu appalls me when it comes to the blind blanket support that it provides to the anti-death sentence camp.
Why dont you start a rewarding scheme for murderers, with bonus points if it is woman or a child who is brutally killed. Perhaps it will make the would be murderer weep and he will buy the kid a lollipop instead of stabbing it. perhaps...
The cause of this whole problem was India not being able to treat it's citizens equally and fairly. I wonder if Balwant Singh Rajoana is recieving death sentence because he commited a murder or because he mudered a CM. Now being a sikh I still believe Balwant Singh Rajoana should be punished for murder because he did take lives but don't you think he has served his sentence? I'M curious to know that if Beant Singh was not a CM and just a ordinary citizen what the outcome of this case would be and if it would recieve so much hype. India needs to learn what equality is.
Every citizen has right to comment far or against on capital punishment to any so called terrorist.Till now , I had been considering that unless we are in full knowledge of the matter ,our comments will not do justice.Forming an opinion on any matter of national importance on the basis of news report can not be an act of judiciary.
The narration given by Mr Yug Mohit is beyond any dispute,favour or partiality.Very nicely ,he has explained the finer aspects of judiciary.
This is not just a coincidence that people of Punjab(Irrespective of Religion and political affiliation are saying that has been concured by Mr Yug(Seemingly, he is not from north or Punjab).
Whatever is final outcome,Mr Yug must be complemented for his unbiased and piece promoting discourse.
The 84 riots was a blot on post independent India- first time a political party organised goons targeted a religous minorities. I was reminded of the stories of Partition times. THe perpetrators should be brought to justice first, Then and then only we will put the Khalistan ghost to rest. It is a shame the people who shout from roof tops about Godhra are dumb when it comes to 84. Why is that silence? because Sikhs are not muslims or is it because it was done by Cong goons?
A fabulous article, truly enjoyed reading this and without a doubt an unbiased article reflecting the truth. A big thanks you to the writer for writing this. Only great academics can write such papers from an unbiased perspective.
A terrorist for one is a Shaheed for another. Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev was considered to be a terrorists by the British and a Shaheed for India. Similarly Balwant Singh is a hero for the people of Punjab who have witnessed the atrocities carried out by Beant Singh. The assassination of Beant Singh has saved thousands of Sikh lives in Punjab.
Amol Ji, Did you know Bhindrawale was brought and introduced by our PM of that time,
purely to bring friction amongst the Sikhs, but her plan went against herself, not many Sikhs
were happy, as our Guru's fought many wars but they were never from the Akaltakhat.
If government wanted to avoid that they could have, there were many ways they could have
arrested Bhindrawale, they just wanted to show their power and aggression against Sikhs.
There was other thirty two Gurdawaras which were raided, what excuse they had for that.
Yes, Balwant singh takes the responsibility fully, but he also asks that those who killed
thousands, why have they not been punished, they were rewarded instead.
1984 wasnt a riot..it was Genocide..the whole world sees this. Sikhs are still treated unfairly to this day. There are Sikh prisoners rotting in jail for crimes they havent committed and theyre being tortured ...look at the SOPW charity website; look on youtube..its all killings against the sikhs..something you would imagine only happens in hell. Do you think its right to torture women by mutilating them? Do you think its right for men to watch their daughters get gang raped in their presence? Do you think its right to kill young babies as young as 6 weeks old? How is a child/baby a terrorist? is this Democracy?....Think about it. This is inhumane. God only knows what the people who have suffered are going through.
The comments are very disturbing. I am surprised to see the educated Sikh community in full force to support a killer. Rajoana should be punished and so should be the people responsible for the 1984 riots. What happens to the justice for the other people, who were killed along with Beant Singh? Also, if Operations Bluestar was wrong, someone has to provide an explanation as to why was the Golden Temple allowed to be used as a safe haven for the terrorists?
My question to all who make Beant Singh the right in pursuing anti-militancy compain? What is the difference between the British and Beant who was made CM with less tah 5% votes. What about those hundreds and thousands of innocents killed by police in Punjab? What about those who were killed under the very nose of Supreme Court in Delhi? This court now treat suo motto case when there is some action taken by Delhi police disturb its ideology. Why Balwant Singh took an extreme step? He wanted to do justice to those innocents who were being summarily killed by police for controlling terrorism. I commend the article very well and righteous in nature and spirit.
I am saddened by the reaction of some of my Sikh and non Sikh brothers and sisters who
want to lynch sardar rajoana. I am pretty sure all my brothers and sisters who are posting comment here are educated enough to understand the definition of murder. What perpetrators did all over India after Mrs Gandhi's killing was murder. Are we choosing to forget or not aware of the atrocities committed by the Punjab police under the leadership of Mr beat Singh and his cronies. Bhai Rajoana helped in assassinating a tyrant. If we call him a murderer then all our freedom fighters from our independence struggle were murderers. In order to understand the state of mind of Bhai Rajoana you would have to lived as a amritdhari Sikh during that time in Punjab. It is very easy for us to make these comments while sitting in our safe houses hundreds of miles away. I aplogize if I have hurt anyones feelings.
As a child in the late 80s and early 90s it was tough to grow up in Punjab..the state had done its part in 1984 by killing innocent countrymen and the bloodshed reached a crescendo during beant Singh govt with an almost entire generation of youth on a warpath due to perceived injustices of the state..Had perpetrators of 84 pogrom been punished by then or even a semblance of justice been done most of that generation could have acted with wisdom and moved on..but that wasn't the case..meanwhile the beant Singh govt elected on 13% voting resorted to unabated killing spree to wipe out the already uncontrolable terrorism ...The killing of beant Singh was the last major terrorist attack in Punjab done by a generation which had grown up in those torrid times..it was,t justified but so were all the incidents which happened in the preceding 10 years.Hang Rajoana along with Tyler's and sajjans if law declares death penalty to be given in rarest of rare cases...
the author is right in the sense that government failure lead to the creation of the idea of secession in the form of khalistan.Political dialogue could have solved the issue,instead Indira Gandhi made use of force and later after her assassination the congress as a whole used force to avenge her death.A section of people defying the law can be brought to book by legal means but what about the makers of law going berserk??Even U.S termed the sikh pogrom as hatred driven.If the govt doesn't want the peace process to derail it should grant mercy to balwant singh and close the chapter once and for all.
Anyone who believes Balwant Singh should be hanged, is most probably in support of the actions of Hitler, Balwant Singh played a part to stopping state terrorism, the Jews got justice during the Nuremburg trials whilst the Sikhs have had no such thing. Is it good enough to carry out a action because a superior told you to? If it is then you are probably sympathetic towards Hitler's troops who simply did what you believe was right, which was to carry out orders. And although Jews may not have stepped up it is like calling those people who attempted to kill Hitler terrorist. so even after this if you believe Balwant Singh should be hung then shame on you and i would hate to imagine what the good 'law-abiding' citizen like you would do if a racist facist government came into power since you do not even have the decency to stick up for someone with a back bone and even think you can condemn such a hero for his actions.
I am wandering that mostof the comments against Balwant singh After serving such a long sentence he should be given another chance At that time it was a flow of events in which these youths commited mistakes now after 17 years he is matured.If he is terrorist then Jagdish tytlwe and kisore lal should be hanged as well because they also were involved in delhi riots why they are free killing is killing it doesnot makes any difference who committed.Punjab police Govt is reponsible for all the events as long as we have corruption and racism in this country we can not live with peace.
Now thats is unbelievable. The entire nation is roaring for Afzal Guru
to be hanged while others want Balwant out. Are the 2 terrorist
different in the act they performed. In this way every person will have
a valid reason for the crime done. Then we should not punish anyone.
Justice delayed is justice denied. Punish all terrorist without showing
any kindness which they newer showed to innocent people killed.
As the world looks at India with awe and an envy at its economic growth, including its role in the BRIC countries and the rate of policies being churning out, many has been taken by surprise by the current situation regarding Balwant Singh Rajoana. The case, apart from being controversial, has opened the proverbial cans of worms. During my recent trip to the Punjab, I witnessed a semblance of stability and a much improved quality of life. Infact, I contemplated living there, my home land. Further more I saw a renewed consciousness among people: they looked much more confident in their pursuits, more confident in their identity, faith and belief.
I sighed relief as I thought peace at last for the people of Punjab, who suffered much pain for a generation. One could recall the wiping out of half a generation including innocent young men who were kidnapped as well as fake encounters, torture cells and pogroms engineered by the Congress officials the likes of Jagdish Tytler, Amitabh Bachan and others, this highlighted a sense of injustice and the gross violation of human rights. It also reflected there was one law for establishment figures and another for victims. Implicitly, the Punjab, the ‘step son’ of India, has been subjected to abuse in the country’s judicial system, thereby creating a Sikh, wounded psyche. When I came back to the UK, during a presentation comprising 13 senior school leaders, I spoke glowingly of India’s education and economic successes. I even reflected on President Obama’s assertion of scientific and technological advancement. During my stay in the Punjab, I made links with various education institutions as well as an NGO, since my mission was to connect with young people involving a partnership between those of India and UK. The idea was to learn from each other, in academic, spiritual, moral, social and educational terms. “Who knows”, I said, “these young people of (13 inner city schools) could end up working in India.”
Yet only last week I learnt about Balwant Singh Rajoana’s dilemma that made the news. I read about his principles including his refusal of clemency. I thought this is the man who reflected Guru Gobind Singh’s doctrine of courage of steel, a principled position against all odds as well a truth seeker and ‘saint solider’. I supported the universality of his mission- his letters bespeak for thousands who perished in the Bhopal Disaster as well as those Muslims killed in Gujarat. In effect he is a tireless spokesperson for the sacrosanct nature of human life irrespective of the individual.
Therefore if life is indeed precious, why did Balwant Singh plan the assassination of Beant Singh of Chief Minister of Punjab at the time, 17 years ago? Beant Singh was a Joseph Kony ‘type’ of tyrant used by the Indian Government to flush acts of ‘terrorism’, (real or imagined). His job was made easy, since all young men were targets of terrorist atrocities hence they disappeared. Those officials who committed the most heinous of crimes were rewarded heavily with material largesse. It is a popular assertion by people of Punjab that the murder of Beant Singh created an emergence of peace over time, with fear being lifted.
The question is, as human beings of different religions or creed, how human we really are? Should we execute a man who feels strongly about his moral duty or do we deify him as a Hero?
@Mr. Harinder & others who shares same view as like of him: Any one responsible for the killing of an 'innocent' men should be treated as a culprit. If hindus were killed in panjab then police should have caught the responsible people. Can any one pl tell me how many such cases were reported 5....10.....15....20 and how many people could have been reponsible for each incident 5...10...15. So for max. of 20 such cases max. 300 could be involved. Instead of hanging those 300 people these butchers in khaki killed 50,000 to 1,00,000 sikh men and women in fake encounters and you people call it elimination of terrorism? The fact is, the real hero who brought an end to the state sponsored terrorism, is 'Bhai balwant singh ji rajona'. Had he not assassinated him i do not how many more innocent sikhs would have to lose their lifes. By killing CM, bhai rajoana has put an end to the never ending process OF fake encounters. I salute to his bravery and endurance, salute you.
Balwant Singh Rajoana pleaded Guilty to his actions and accepted the decision. The issue that most Sikhs are complaining about is what about those people that instigated the pogroms that have not yet even been charged 20 years on. We know who they are, it's all very well to say he's a terrorist he should be hanged, but where is the outrage for those who committed or instigated heinous crimes and live free? When the govt is corrupt and you have ministers that blatantly lead and encourage violence against minorities then who do you turn to for justice?? In a lawless and corrupt society surely lawlessness will be the norm. If human rights for all are not respected what is the course of action? Bhagat Singh and Udham Singh are regarded as heroes because they acted out against this injustice. The thing that stings the most is that even today, 20 years on, every citizen of India is not treated equally. Preference is given to caste and religion in all aspects of society.
I don't understand why some people are comparing Mr.Balwant Singh with likes of Afzal Guru the Traitor of his own country&People and Kasab the Mad Animal in form of Human that came for killing people without a reason..This man Balwant Singh had done mistake by killing other 15 people apart form the CM Now Balwant Singh himself accepted he had done mistake by killing 15 Innocent people.Now by executing Death sentence, we as nation won't get anything Except Blood shed that may happen again by some xy person and this may go Onn without an End.Now we need to keep an End to this.Enough of Blood shed happened and Let's stop this here instead of making people to remember the unfortunate and Mad incidents that Happened.
The fundamental principle guiding the law in a civilized society should be to protect
society from the "criminal" and where possible to rehabilitate him. Most important, it
is not to wreak vengeance. Capital punishment, most studies show, has no deterrent
value. The perpetuation of the cycle of resentment and violence is another reason to
avoid it in political prisoners. It is regrettable that India and US, world's largest
democracies, still have it on the books --- though its use is declining in both
countries.
In 1980's Indra Gandhi just used Bhrindawale for political gains, she
promised him to fulfil all his demands if congress comes to power in
Punjab because congress was never able to form a goverment. And
everyone ashould know that Bhrindawale never demanded a separate
nation initially. His demands was declare Amritsar, a holy city, ban
liquor sales specially in holy city Amritsar et al but after coming to
power Indra gandhi ignored Bhrindawale and there was no use of
operation blue star, bringing military into the cmpound of holy
temple, also bringing in tanks. Country own army was killing it's own
citizen. The government had given order to military to kill whoever
comes in front. All innocent people who had been at temple to take
blessing were massacred mercilessly by Indian military. Then came 1984
how many innocent sikhs were killed all sponsored by congress, no one
till date got punished how sikhs can forget that ever.
A very good article with full story.
I feel the fundamental distinction in this case is getting clouded. This was a political assassination carried out by persons affiliated to a group which had a political path.
A state carries authority in the name of its subjects and implements/subjugates its authority however right or wrong it may be.
Justification is when a state can unleash/impose repressive action including illegal killing of its own people by its official agencies and every thing is condoned just because it has the legal authority, why can't a group of people with possible political affiliation act against the state for its repressive action knowing very well that illegal actions by the state is never going to be brought before justice , ensuring natural justice.
let’s talk plainly – ‘you’ provided impunity for 84’ massacre and extra judicial killings, and now extend it to ‘our’ terrorists.
It is simple and pure exchange – where does come law, constitution and democracy in it?
Excellent article! Balwant Singh should be freed! He has not even been given a proper trial, the CBI prosecutor was a fake!
As per the law, if somebody has committed some crime he must be
punished, doesn't matter what was the situation and circumstances
which forced him/her to do so. There are many problems, conflicts and
issue present inside our country if everybody started solving them in
their own way...this country will not go anywhere.
At the same time I will surely say, one strong commission should be established and should be dug deep inside the blue star operation. And
same judgement should be given for them too who created such
situation. No body is above law and order.
Those who state that Bhai Balwant Singh ji is a terrorist are devils. I cannot slander them, as God will surely deal with them in the end. Life is short, don't spend it hating on the purest religion around, beautiful sikhism. Khalistan Zindabad.
No body is above the law, and if he has did a harm to any Indian citizen, he should be given proper punishment, no matter whether he is Balwant singh Rajowana or anyone else.
The way of treatment of this case by Punjab government is really shameful. It's their duty to maintain law and order situation there, but instead of helping judiciary to punish a criminal. They are supporting him to get away with it. I must say that this will send a wrong message to all the anti national organizations and the terrorist groups.
Hang him as early as possible so that justice can prevail. Hang all traitors of the country who want to divide the country based on religion, caste and creed. It is sad that hanging a traitor is also difficult in this country. The people who doesnot want him to be hanged are just thinking about khalsa who wanted a separate state. If he will not get hanged then every state, every religion, every language afflicted people will want a separate state.
The many responses to this article either take the position of
defending Sikh pride (or their hurt at injustices against their
community) or of defending the cause of 'justice' against a person who
has been convicted of terrorist acts. The article raises an issue
bigger than the hanging of Balwant Singh. It tacitly questions the
right of the state to hang a person for terrorist crimes, when the
State itself has been party to such killings eg. post-Indira Gandhi's
assassination, Godhra, Manipur, anti-Maoist encounters in Central
India etc.The Indian State has consistently eroded its legitimacy by
perpetrating violence against its own citizens and then fostering &
nurturing an effete/inadequate judicial system that delays and denies
justice to many. It is in such circumstances that many such
apologists of Balwant Singh can rise to question his death sentence.
This is not a debate on capital punishment but of addressing Sikh
sentiment that has gone unassuaged since 1984.
He was responsible for the death of 16 persons. DID h even know the
names of the 16 others. Did he care about any of them?.
All your arguments have been nailed down by the Supreme Court. At least now, the shrills of people like you in support of a terrorist should end.
Many many thanks to Mr.Yugmohit Chaudhary & the Author for cuming in and
showing the injustice been done by the indian government,a victim
spending last 17 years in jail and now said to be hanged why this delay
of 17 years ? I once again thanks Mr.Yugmohit taking all the pain for
looking into Bhai Balwant singhs matter...God Bless you.
The death penalty is barbarous. End of argument.
I must congratulate the hindu for publishing this article. Only newspaper in the
country which can publish a story like this, call spade a spade. I am a sikh and felt ambivalent about the issue. The man says i killed beant, so kill me. What benefit does the state get? Reason for capital punishment is to deter people from committing crimes. In this case, it will only inspire others. Poor Congress will end up making a hero out of this guy. Interesting to see what happens next.
NO ONE SHOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW.'but' provided the law is implemented in totality with no prejudices and bias towards anyone.shouldn't those who murdered and looted sikhs in '84 and muslims in gujrat also be branded as terrorists ? how many were killed & how many were prosecuted . when there are double standards for the minorities, there are bound to be such cases. not that I endorse what Rajoana did but the State has to ensure that the law is equal for one and all. its an open secret that human rights were violated beyond all limits post '84.
if the state is allowing the killing of 20000-25000 innocents as a collateral damage to wipe out 150-200 terrorists... its LAW !
if a frustrated & hurt commoner fed up with the system kills 15 with one, its terrorism !!
And all those who argue that the army raided the Golden Temple - Remember, Bhrindawale himself had stored arms and ammunition inside AND fortified it. A few days before Bluestar, the DIG of Punjab, A. S. Atwal (himself a Sikh) was shot outside the Golden Temple.
The reason why the attack came on 3rd of June (a religious day for Sikhs), was that Bhrindawale was to approach the UN and demand for a new nation, with Pakistan to back this claim. The UN would then accept it. The conflict surrounding Bluestar was not a Hindu-Sikh conflict (even if it MAY have started out as such). It was a Indian Nationalist vs. Indian Anti-nationalist conflict.
The entire nation sympathizes with the pain that our Sikh brethren have
gone through. Those guilty of crimes MUST be punished. But this is not
the way. Very misguided. Taking law into one's own hands is NOT the
answer to Judicial and Government inefficiency.
On a completely different note, reminded me of the awe-inspiring Marathi
play, "Thank You, Mr. Glad".
Are u kidding me ??? These guys bombed a plane coming from Canada killing hundreds of innocent people. They even murdered the "CM" of a state, they celebrated the murder of the "PM" of our country and even worse, they stored guns and ammunition in a place of worship. They stained the holy temple. The use of sword is sanctioned in Sikhism only in case of extreme injustice and if and only if it is the last option.
However good the intentions of the author are, it is setting a dangerous precedent in the context of Terror. India has been victimized perpetually with mindless terrorism that every man who kills the other has reasons to do so. If a good reason is enough to escape from the clutches of the Law, then first hang the Law and dissolve the constitution and close down the courts. No matter what hassles the common man goes through in our corrupt society, he manages a few winks of deep slumber only under the comfort of the Law and its caretakers. The World understands our weakness and such acts of pardon however significant they may be will only make them mock at us and aid them in committing more vicious attacks. This commutation can only do us more harm than good. It is not a question of humanness here, it is a larger question of the Nation that we need to address. Please let us not forget the images of Terror Strikes and for God sake let us not make martyrs of such traitors. Jai Hind.
If there are laws which would suitably punish the murderers, then there need not be any revenge murders atleast. But what is the government doing with kasab in jail? This just shows how laws are implemented in India.Regarding this case, arrested in '95,sentenced to death in 2006 and confirmation in 2010.Hmm..i think natural death would be the winner in this race with the Court Justice.
One thing I don't understand is that fact that people keep bringing up the fact 17
people died in the bomb attack. But what about all the innocent men, women and
children that were killed because of Beant Singh? If anyone those 17 people died because of Beant Singh. He brought it upon himself. No-one is allowed to use the excuse of "17 innocent people were killed in that attack". Go read up on what happened, all you have to do is scroll up, it's all in the article. And another thing, >"millions of Hindu's had to move out of Punjab and got displaced".........well here's some news for you, Sikhs move out of India because they can't get anywhere in India. Why do Sikhs move to Canada, the US and the UK, when they love their homeland? People say "Sikhs aren't discriminated against in India"?!?! Please, give me a break.
More than 12000 sikh people were killed in 1984 riots. It is going to be 27 years and still awaiting justice, killers are roaming free and and 1995 case got cleared very fast, where as it should have been 11 years after the 1984 case of mass sikh killings. how come justice department is so fast for cases relating to sikh persons and going at extra slow speed for the people who killed sikhs in thousands. I think delivery of justice is remotly controlled by the congress, who is also sheltering the 1984 riots killers.If law is blind then it should not biased towards religion, it should take its own course, but in case of Bhai rajoana it is too fast and for 1984 case it does not want to move only . Other wise 27 years is very-very long time to get justice.
Gone thro' the comments. Invariably alligned along the sectarian lines.
I think some leading thinkers of the society, not necessary Indians,
can throw meaningful light on this.
You know a society is ill when we are supposed to feel sorry for murderers and apologize for the fact that we are hanging terrorists. I see no reason for clemency when this man has admitted to his guilt. The guilty man may have turned into a saint now, but did he think of the people he killed when he strapped the bombs? This punishment is not for his saintliness after being caught but for his barbarism prior to it.
It would matter little if he is hanged or commuted but it would grave if we remain stick to beliefs of nationalism, regionalism, and so called religions. Such Balwants and Beants will continue to raise there heads and hands, and 17 onlookers (we) will continue to suffer. Why don't we become Human and true Citizen of our Earth, and religious in our behaviour. A person should pardon other person irrespective of cause but a State should behave responsibly without prejudice and emotions for the welfare of its masses for time to come.
I would have done what Rajaona did. His brother was killed by the police
and he believes his brother was innocent. As famously said in 'Deewaar', first we should arrest the perpetrators of Sikh killings in Delhi 1984 before we hang Rajaona. Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler are still roaming free in Delhi.
As for the people who are talking about the excesses done by Khalistanis against hindus - well thats why we call Khalistanis terrorists because they killed innocent individuals. If the Indian states starts to equate itself with Khalistanis and starts to follow their policy of killing innocents then we are terrorist state.
I am impressed!! Somebody had the guts. Does the state sponsored terrorism exist in India? If the answer is NO, there is no point in having a "healthy" discussion with you, you already know the answers. If the answer is YES, what are you doing about it as a citizen? 1984 genocide happened in "independent" India, in the the CAPITAL. 10000 Sikh men women were massacred. This included rape of women in the streets, tire burning in people's necks, killing of parents in front of children. 10 commissions (yes 10) spent India's tax money and found nothing! Imagine if these people were some of yours. These people were not some of mine but should shouldn't I have pain for it as a citizen? Beant Singh in collaboration with Congress suspended Habeas corpus. They would just arrest somebody, take him/her to river side and shoot, plant weapons, declare them atankwadi. Nice! Want to try in your home state if there are any issues? Weather it happened with Sikh, hindus or Muslims, justice must be served
Thank you for writing this objective and thoughtful article.
I agreed with your views whole-heartedly until, "The Punjab troubles are behind us now" -- Really? Would we be in this position if this was the case?
Irrespective of whether Balwant Singh was right or wrong in his actions, the fact is that many people who committed crimes above and beyond his, against the Sikh community, are free to walk the earth and are rewarded! That is what's most irking.
How come common citizen can live safely if government commute the death sentences of people like Balwant Singh? also why government has to spend my tax money on keeping alive such criminals? India is country of more than 100 crore people we have duty to eliminate people like Balwant Singh to keep this country safe. Government should erase the memory of such hardcore criminals from public mind and discourses. His courage and pathetic promotion of it by this pathetic lawyer ignites fear among fellow non criminal and normal citizens and it is sad to see lawyer urging not to hang Balwant Singh.
Balwant Singh's intention was to kill Beant Singh and not 16 innocent civilians. He was avenging the death of countless sikhs who were murdered brutally by him and KPS Gill.Yes 16 innocent people lost their lives too but he did not set out to kill them .Balwant singh was a product of a corrupt and ruthless system.If the muderers of countless civilians can enjoy high profile political lives where is justice?why have they not been punished to date?Justice it seems is just a perspective.
This is India. Do anything you like - kill or robbery or rape or anything you can imagine....and there will be some one to argue for you..! The Indian citizen has the unique priviledge of feeding all these people with their tax money...!! Funny people
What is Law, It is a tool to control and punish ordinary people the powerless people,The laws of the Land are not for landlords/powerful people,They can mend the laws and remain at large.This is not about any community or sect but Power.Beant Singh when grabbed the Power in Punjab was so much drunk/drugged all the time he killed so many innocent people besides bad people/terrorists to remain in power.but he forgot
ultimate
power is in God,s Hand.THIS guy Rajoana is just an ordinary guy with
no worldly Power.
But he killed that druggy/drunk Powerful Man.Now if he will be hanged
to death nothing in this world is going to stop that revolt in
powerless people.which will through all that powerful people of their
power.
And I have Muslim friends too. I feel their pain when they describe how insecure they were in 1992 in Bombay, and in 2002 in Gujarat. My Christian friends are the gentlest, kindest people I've met. Believe me, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians are as human as Hindus. To all those calling Balwant Singh "bhai" or "Sardar", please don't do that - his religion is secondary to the fact that he's a killer, however justified his beliefs may have been in his mind. He should pay for his crime. And with him, those who turned him into a criminal (1984 rioters/killers) should pay for their crimes.
This is a sad illustration of why India will always be a 'soft target' for terror both by internal and external rogue elements. What makes it much more sad is the fact that so-called intellectuals and policy makers in the society who are supposed to confront such evils with 'out of the box' thinking and laws, waste their time arguing for old cliches like 'comutting the death sentence' for cold blooded terrorists who take innocent lives. I always wonder why there is so little sympathy for 'lost lives'.
Beant Singh was elected by 23 percent of voters. More then 75 percent did not vote. So calling him "elected by the people" would be a misleading notion.
Firstly appreciate the author for bringing this perspective and these facts to light. Most other news papers simply wrote everything except these facts and sensationalized the issue. Now I will not comment on my acceptance of the authors opinions but more importantly he did do a great job in presenting them in the first place.
I would like to make a point to all those who are talking about those 16 people killed, please note that during the rule of beant singh, some 50 thousand people were killed in punjab and after his death the number just declined to 2 thousand. So now judge on this point that killing of beant singh is justified or not.
Balwant Singh Rajoana has not murdered anyone. The person who did
perished and even that person was a Punjab police constable. Both of
these individuals were part of police forces and only became enraged
after what they saw while duty. i.e killing of innocents. For those
suggesting he is a terrorist should look into his history and into their
own conscience.
These are disturbing comments, pretty much polarised across religion. This is indeed a very dangerous trend when we are divided by religion and not reason. Did the man commit a crime? Yes he did. Was Beant Singh a criminal or charged with a crime? No he wasnt. Did Rajoana have a judicial or civil mandate to take the law in his own hands? No he did not. What of the 18 others that died as collateral damage were they involved in the killing of Sikhs as Beant Singh is accused? No is the answer. We are opening a Pandoras Box here and I as a Sikh living in Punjab would request everybody to understand that the law of the land must prevail. I empathize with Rajoana and his cause too but I'm sorry I cannot condone his actions he is as guilty as a man can be and its sad to see this becoming a political and communal issue. We need jobs, education, industry, better agriculture, and a better future for punjab not rabble rousing.
Some of these comments are unbelievable. How can readers so easily say that this person, and other Sikhs were 'terrorists', when it was the Indian government's actions that terrorized the Sikhs in the first place?! And India boasts itself to be a 'Democracy'....Well, since when was it the govn't right to kill thousands of innocent people? I thought its responsibility was to protect all its people. But it failed to do any of that. So then, how was defending one's self against a corrupt govn't a crime?!
To those who like to comment without thinking, try putting yourselves in those citizens shoes....left without any support, seeing family members burnt alive, backstabbed by their own authority and police, targeted for no reason whatsoever..The Indian government should be ashamed.
1984 was a massive Sikh genocide. And anyone who'd like to think otherwise should read up on the Jewish holocaust massacre, for a history recap.
Thank you for finally an intelligent, refreshing and unbiased piece of reporting in the case of Balwant Singh. It was sickening to read other newspapers calling him a terrorist and that clemency was being sought to spare his life. None of this is true as evident in this report.
The first point I would like to make in regards to the Indian government is that during the fight of independence how many members of the congress party gave there head to end the British rule in India zero. During the time of India independence Kartar Singh Bhagat Singh Rajgur and Suckdev stepped up from the Garder party to offer their heads. When General Dyer order the Killings of thousands of Hindus, Muslims and Sikh who followed the culprit back to his home soil to avenge the killings of thousands Udham Singh. The great injustice for all these heroes of post independence is that no even a picture is displayed in the Indian Parliament today. The governing body of India today should have been the heroes and their political party however due to the congress party doing nothing back then they eliminate all chances of their being a mother India which was the ideology of these great Soldiers.
Post forward to 2012 the Indian government now what’s to murder Bhai Balawant Singh Rajoana after he has served a 17 year sentence. Yet they don’t want to account for the destruction they caused from 1984 and onwards. The rape and torture of woman the killing of Sikh youths across Punjab and there ability to try and suppress Sikhism in India is this not a crime? Bhai Balawant Singh Rajoana did what any Sikh would have done if in the same position. If Bhai Balawant singh is killed I pray that another thousand of him are born in India and wish that one day I may be lucky do such Seva as him and my post independence heroes.
Although the editorial is very well written but in the comments section most of the Sikhs are against the hanging while most of the Hindus are for it. Not a good sign. In a country where your views are based solely on your religion and not justice or fairness there can be no protection for the minorities. This has been amply illustrated in India over time and is reflected in the comments by the readers here. The laws are being made and implemented by the majority community and the outcome is very clear for everyone to see. Such a shame. All the Indians had so much hope in 1947 for India but due to the partial application of law, biased media, corrupt politicians and a corrupt system, India is veering towards disintegration.
well argued. By Commuting his death sentence, we are not making him a
hero.Neither are we up holding or justifying cowardly acts. We are just
following the principle of humanity. It is not for a civilized state to
take lives of people who are no more a threat. He is behind bars.
Issues have been resolved. So matters end there. A civilised society is
where u can kill only to defend. He is now in custody. So killing is of
no purpose.
Tamils who are fighting to stop the hanging of Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan should join the protests of Sikh brethren; and in general against capital punishment
I am surprised that people are using 'unbiased' to describe this article. Why does the author want the death sentence to be commuted? Because he thinks so. There is obviously a bias and some preconceived notions in the author's mind. And then he goes on eulogising a terrorist. Hitler was also never wavered from his convictions.
This is not simply a case of the hanging of a Sikh, who is being
supported by his community members to save his life.It is
representative of what India has turned into, a pseudo democratic country where ethnic,caste, regional and religious and all imaginable and unimaginable distinctions are highlighted for vote bank politics and where these are sustained to remain in power. This represents India where politicians, netas and babus are wielding so much power that a common man feels helpless to defend himself, where injustice at the hands of those in power has become a trend and where the only hope
for justice lies in violence, numbers and protests. This is India where we have no justice for the aam aadmi,where he tries to find it in hero figures, who give him hope, who make him feel powerful by standing up to authority in whatever way it be. But we have been so divided by these netas that we misdirect this anger at each other, divided by region, religion etc. but never at real enemy.
This is a dangerous precedent, we are again making a mistake of associating a religion to a terrorist. A person who does such a heinous act is not alone an enemy to India but to whole humanity.I believe by staying death sentence, we are encouraging such acts in future
this is very dangerous for becoming whole india, no body is allowed to take law in hands. he should be hanged. this will lead to the free movement of terrorists. Beant Singh is the man behind the today punjab otherwise it could lead to next afganishtan or pakistan. People should not mix crime and religion.
A really really well written article ! kudos to the writer to summing up the entire issue in such beautiful 7 meaningful words
Rajona has done what he believed is justice without considering about
collateral innocent lives ...the state should do what it believes is justice without dwelling into political calculations.
Very eloquently put commentary on the current scenario. I don't agree
with everything the author says, but this is by far the most balanced article on this topic I have read.The current situation has many levels of arguments and history. Firstly, there is the personal story of this person and his strength of conviction to which we may or may not agree. Secondly, there is question of fake encounters and state persecution committed by the administration during the militancy days. Thirdly, there is the question of selective (and non-selective) killing of Hindus (and Sikhs) during militancy. Fourthly, there is the question of 1984 “genocide” (no other word can describe it). Fifthly, there is the question of guilty people been given awards and ministries as a reward. Sixthly, there is the question of Blue Star and the necessity (or otherwise) of army action.
Until the effort is made to reconcile these complex issues, this wont end.
Selective justice is nothing but injustice.
when everybody is talking about hanging Balwant Singh Rajoana and setting a strong example and creating a strong democracy and justice should prevail and giving other such statements.. Why do we forget that the same jucdicial system and the same government has failed to punish Jagdish tytler and Sajjan Kumar and other convicts for 1984 Sikh Massacre..Nanavati commsission was set by same Government and also headed by Justice G.T of same Judiciary system..Than why those decisions are not implemented..Where are your opinions and judgement's to build a strong democracy and setting a right example vanishes in their cases.. why don't you all speak up when convicts of 1984 are not brought to justice..
have at-least some moral's while commenting . And no guarantee such massacre can happen with your community too..Keep yourself in the place of those who have suffered and then comment..
A lot of people keep saying that he is not above the law and that the law must prevail...so tell me where was the law 1984? 16 people were killed during the Biant Singh assassination. How many were killed when the Indian government attacked the golden temple? How many have been killed to date? Has anyone checked to see how many women were raped and children killed while the govenment looked the other way? Where is the law for poeple like Kamal Nath? He seems to be enjoying a poition in the government. The law should apply to all the same way regarless of religion.
Btw, the sikhs are not asking for mercy, they are not asking for the death sentance to be revoked. All we are doing is raising awareness for the unfair treatment of Sikhs. May I also point out that Bhagat Singh was a sikh and he also assasinated someone for the good of Indian people and is today a hero. Balwant Singh was a police officer and stood up for what he saw was wrong. He is no less a hero than Bhagat Singh.
To every "Intelligent" person talking here , let me tell you one thing
that none of you is aware of the tense atmosphere in Punjab, if they hang Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, then it will cause big disturbance in Punjab. Do you all want this?
The Hindu has a typical problem that it tends to glorify the actors who are anti-Indian. At best they are soft on such actors. Being left oriented is good, but being stubbornly blind and deaf to realities is misleading. More so if you are a media which plays an important role in shaping the public opinion. The age old banter of US downturn never cooked.. US remains a great power across the globe. So its time that they be informed of some realism in their reporting, instead of being a hard core communist uselessly and unreasonably.
If some one Kills MODI for revenge of Gujarat riots that's justified ? If Kasab says Mumbai attacks were revenge of Gujarat riots and demolish ion of Babri he should be shown leniency. Rajona did not kill Beant for justice but for the cause of Khalistan, he is product of misguided and wrong teaching DON'T JUSTIFY HIM. I am against his hanging too because that does not solve any thing real victory of the country and society would be if Rajoana realizes that it was a mistake Punjab made better progress with India than it would have made without it, Khalistan should be in the heart and not on Passport or driving license. Rajoana should become part of mainstream that would be the victory for Punjab Govt and people of Punjab. Justice should be delivered for 84 riot victims without politicizing the issue and through judiciary not with extra judicial methods. Rajoana in his present state or mind should not be justified, he still says he wants to die for Khalistani cause.
Surprising that there are very few takers for a discussion on death penalty itself. The condemned is NOT asking for mercy. He is OK with being murdered. The State is also OK. Are the people OK with this continuing barbarism?
What ever Author has said about the circumstances of Rajoana is his defense that is not the belief of Rajoana in totality. Babar Khalsa is an organization working for the cause of Khalistan and so is Rajona. Babar Khalsa was not formed to get justice but to get Khalistan and that's what Rajoana wants stop misleading people that he is fighting for justice. So AFSPA should be revoked in Kashmir and northeast, then Afzal should also be treated the same way, as he attacked parliament to revenge injustice against Kashmiris. You don't want death sentence so do I, but don't justify his actions that's a wrong example being set for the society. Who is stopping Human right groups from pursuing cases of police or armed forced brutality in Kashmir, Punjab or North East, but that is no justification for becoming terrorists and human bombs. Stop feeding peoples mind that Khalistani movement was for justice or Rajoana was fighting for justice, Khalistani movement was and is anti national since 1970s
See how the terrorist in our country is treated. People are paying him a respect by saying bhai balwant singh ji, Ridiculous. A Murdrer is a murdrer, what about those people who were killed in this blast. Is khalisthan is the only way out in Punjab and for why? If any body is guilty he must be punished weather he belongs to any religion
Kudos to the author to show other side of the coin which has not been highlighted by many in mainstream newspapers in india. During the rule of Beant singh, 50000 plus people were murdered under the name of (fake)encounters which stopped after the beant's singh killing. can someone tell who is responsible for those 50000+ killings and why is the judiciary & some people here who are quite keen to hang Balwant are MUM ?
Get your facts right and dont speak from your armchair without getting them first. Was Udham singh who killed General Dyre of Jallianwala bagh a terrorist ?
Its not the question of hanging him or not, nobody will have any objection in sparing his life, but glorifying him for what he did is a challenge to millions of Indians who have been suffered more than the Sikhs and sought peaceful means to fight for their rights. What makes him cruel is he has no remorse for all those people killed in addition to his target. And what he achieved through Killing Beant nothing absolute nothing. Never made a difference to his family or to the Sikh community as a whole. If every one starts blowing up people for the injustice they suffer we don't have many people left in India. Sikhs are one of the most kind and brave people on planet earth. Guys like this should hang themselves for bringing this community to disrepute.
Very valid points made by the author and a bold approach to acknowledge truth and real situation. We all must recognize that its Govt sponsored Pogrom of 1984 and then its unwillingness to put criminals, murderers, rapists of 1984 behind the bars, which compel victims to take law into their own hands. Shouldnt we all ask the Government to first sentence those who killed thousands of innocent Sikhs in 1984 and then Rajoana? It should be the same law and same justice for all. Balwant Singh is 100times better than those cold-blooded murderers who killed, raped and burnt alive innocent people for 3 days in 1984. Such indifference towards victims from minorities and different law and punishment towards them will further aggravate the problem. Thats why naxals r now coming up & pls remember, they r not Sikhs or Muslims, whom Govt very easily terms as anti-India.
It seems Mr. Chaudhary is patronizing a chain reaction where everyone
in our society should take his own revenge and show a finger to the
law of the land. This is not how a society can function. The way the
politicians and police-bureaucracy of Punjab acted is also shady in
some quarters, but then, would activists of Babbar Khalsa or so called
extremists, had laid down arms on requests. We have a democratic way
of representing and expressing our political and social requirements.
Fortunately and sanely enough, an armed struggle has no place in our
system. Like already,mentioned in some comments above, should the
family members of those killed besides Beant Singh, go and rip apart
the family members of Balwant Singh and expect to be rewarded? The law
of the land should take its course and suitable punishment should be
awarded to Balwant Singh at the earliest. By doing so, Punjab
Government and SAD would avoid setting a wrong, unhealthy and most
damaging precedence for years to come.
People here commenting against Yug Chaudhry/Balwant Rajoana are mixing up
things. No one is asking that he be PARDONED. The point is, whether he should
be hanged/killed, when; 1.) His co-conspirators sentence has been converted from Hanging to life. 2.) Other petitions for other conspirators pleas are pending with Supreme court. What IF SC reduces their sentence? Then will u reduce sentence for a dead man? 3.) People are saying that Sikhs should believe in Indian Justice system. How can they? People who killed innocent hindus/sikhs/officials in Punjab we either killed by police or were hanged like Jinda/Sukha etc. But has even 1 been hanged for 3000 Sikhs being killed in 1984. NO ONE ANSWERS THIS. Not 1 ON THIS WHOLE PAGE. 4.) Some on this page say, can Rajivs killers be pardoned? Can Dara Singh be pardoned for Grahm Staines(+ kids) burning? THEY HAVE BEEN PARDONED. Rajiv killers have been pardoned by Sonia/Rahul, so their killing is stayed. Dara Singh also given Life sentence.
I am not a Politician, neither a lawyer nor any human right activist. But if this person is spared, because he had fight for a cause, we should also spare Md. Kasab, as he was also fighting for a cause. This is our country and for everyone, not for any one individual. We had earned this freedom with very hardship. We should give respect to each individual. Its not that only Mahatma Gandhi alone was responsible for freedom, or only Bhagat singh alone was responsible for freedom. Every one's effort had brought us the freedom so we should think trice before such deeds.
This is a great unbiased article, I am impressed with the writers
conviction to tell the truth (no matter how ugly it is) and The Hindu
newspapers courage to publish it. Bravo, keep up the good work!
Beautiful article. Thank you Hindu for publishing this.
Author's last paragraph is very relevant - when India has condoned the government's excesses, can we not now reconcile with Balwant Singh?
It has become natural to execute oneself under the law to respond to the fear of the mass (Majority) & what about the fear expressed by small groups? How the fear of minor population is recieved & honoured? Whether the democracy is having suitable arrangements?
First we should understand that we should not bring Sikhism in this capital punishment. If someone killed 16 people and he thinks he had done nothing wrong after that. I believe that 'Eye for an Eye ' is never a solution but we must bring forth that any form of extremism will not be accepted. I believe that we must give a strong message that guilty person will be punished at any cost.
It is fine to argue that there is no place for capital punishment in a civilized society, even in the rarest of rare cases. However, it is not fine to argue that 17 murders were justified on one basis or the other. Unfortunately, the author has chosen to justify the murder of 17 innocent people.
bhai balwant singh ji rajoana is not a killer by birth or terrorist. what the congress led govt in center as well as in punjab has done and is doing to eliminate the sikh from the land , every one is know about it.so many sikhs were killed in operation blue star and after the daeth of indera gandhi.the peoples those has seen the facts will not comment like the late born people are commenting.if these people doesnot know the realty they shuold not bark.keep it in u r mind that the real sikh always pray for all. he save the people and fight for the people. and if any one try to defame him then he has the right to go to law. but if there is no law for sikhs then they know how to get the justice wheather it is british govt or black british ( indian govt ) .history of sikhs is full of example. please read sikh history.
Sikhs would not mind the death penalty being administered to Balwant Singh, if justice was served equally before the law in India. Of course, Balwant Singh took the life of a CM. He admits this. BUT what irks Sikhs is the hypocrisy of the Indian legal and political system. Political leaders responsible for the killing of minorities (not only Sikhs, but Christians and Muslims too) in the hundreds of thousands have been promoted and face no punishment/justice for killing innocents (other than such innocents ascribing to a certain religion), yet Balwant Singh is given the death sentence? By all means, the law should take its course. BUT the law must be applied equally, not discriminating based on caste, creed or religion. That's the only justice that Sikhs want. Bring those responsible for 1984 and its aftermath before the courts, and ensure those politicians too are hanged to death for the murder, torture, rape and illegal detention of thousands of Sikhs.
Yes it is serious concern Arun. Better not open the history here because we all know Godse and Gandhi perhaps you should better learn the facts behind it, also the differences between a rapist, activist and terrorist. I guess you didn't read the news properly he confessed it and refused to contest the prosecution's charges, challenge its evidence, engage a lawyer or accept a court-appointed lawyer. This shows his respect for the law too. Not like so called democratically elected nuts who rob the country's wealth and don't even feel ashamed after getting caught. And this doesn't mean that we should start killing all of them. This is the wake up call to the whole country to know their rights and find the loop-holes in current system and address them for complete resolution.
In the country of Mahatma Gandhi violence in any form is unacceptable.
To be penitent about a crime or evincing the need and rationale behind a crime does not make you inculpable.Balwant Singhs expression on a closer look marks less of righteousness but more of a rebellion. For all the terrorists what is prominent is their stubborn and uncompromising atttitude along with irrational reasoning. I do not in any ways mean to compare Balwant Singh with the latter. For Balwan t Singh may be a hero for the Sikh community. What I only urge is LET THE JUSTICE PREVAIL.
The author has made a very eloquent case for reversal of the death penalty. There are several questions raised by the death penalty to Rajoana. One is whether the death penalty itself, whatever the offense, is desirable and if so, why. No one is talking here of not punishing such crime. Evidently, the death penalty does not serve to be a deterrent against similar crimes in the future. A number of individuals responsible for terrorist acts, as in the case of Beant Singhs and Rajiv Gandhi's killers, are suicide bombers, willing to give their lives for what they believe. The view that terrorists, murderers and rapists must be put to death for justice to be done does not hold water- justice to whom? The victims themselves, or their families do not stand to gain by execution of the offender. Second, since we are all affected by and concerned about terrorism, what are its roots? Though his actions are questionable, the argument made by Rajoana is compelling- who are the real terrorists?
1. An argument rooted in the concept of universal humanitarianism. I applaud, indeed salute the author. 2. If, much as the author is against and so am I, Balwant Singh is executed will there be anyone who will accept organs from his body, as he had so willed? I doubt that. I cannot understand why. 3.I do not agree with the logic of the state "suo moto reviewing his case." That would be injustice done to Balwant Singh and his convictions, not to mention going against his express wishes, in the name of compassion. 4. Fully endorse that there will be a 'collective loss' in the case of his execution.
5. I wish the author had avoided such sharp focus on the consequneces of Balwant Singh's execution through reasons of apprehended consequences.
6. The argument should have been purely normative - death penalty is morally abhorrent. Period.
Raghuram Ekambaram
All those against Balwant Singh are you against Udhaam Singh and Bhagat Singh? He killed a man responsible for killing thousands of innocent Sikhs and more would of died if he had not done this heroic act. The loss of innocent lives in war happens but when it is done purpose like by the then CM it has to be stopped. You say he killed the innocent by standers they were Punjab police, driver and body guards all in on the act so not entirely innocent.
This is bad. Every person starting from a small thief to terrorist have their own reasons/justifications. Balwant Singh is no exception to that. Accepting his reasoning and asking for mercy is too bad. Karunanidhi asks for mercy to persons involved in Rajiv's killing just because they are tamilians and now politicians in Punjab for Balwant Singh just because he belong to their community. These acts are too dangerous things than the actual crime committed.
Every action triggers an reaction, Sikh religion always became a
protective shield for HINDUSTAN and no one can deny this, lots of
sacrifices for their nation, along bravery history, but been always
neglected and prejudiced, Punjab and Sikhs had seen the worst time for
more than a decade from early 80's to early 90's and the way it has
been bring to an end was really shameful.
If army can do GHERABANDI of a mosque in Jammu for more than a week to
have a blood less capturing of terrorist, then why this same approach
was taken case of BLUE STAR OPERATION.........
Moreover thousands of innocent people were killed on the name of
removing terrorism from the state.
Govt. should think why someone raise weapon against ruler, only when
injustice has happened, and PUNJAB has witnessed many such,, so
according to me GOVT is responsible for converting simple person to so
called terrorist.
We are living in democracy but as per i can judge there is nothing
like democracy in our country.
This is an extremely well written article and the best I have read till
now on this topic. The writer has struck the right chord and his views on
every point are very correct.
Government of India is making itself more and more weak. First it takes
decades to decide the sentence and then years to carry out execution.
Finally it drops the execution. India has pressure groups belonging to
every conceivable shade of opinion. The best way forward is to abolish
capital punishment and put an end to this sadness, the news of death
penalty creates and subsequent political drama. Getting hard life long
labour from these culprits will be a real punishment as they will be
forced to feel the burnt for longer duration than dying in an instant.
The state, there by its people, has a golden opportunity to raise its stature much above to that of the terrorist,who is also a victim in some way or the other, by showing mercy and 'excess love' to bewilder the man's 'illusory dignity' and 'false belief'. The options are wide open - either be a part of Balwant's own blood ridden scheme by hanging him , or just belittle his macabre thoughts by showering unexpected kindness upon him. The real terrorist resides in his ghastly ideas which are potentially contagious,and not in his earthly body.Dont let the gruesome,malodorous ideas of the man be immortal by killing him equally cruelly.
Balwant is made hero because he did this to revenge the wrong doings of operation blue star. What if the extremists were successful in separating Punjab from India. There would have been massacre of non sikh community to establish khalistan. And not even a single sensible resident of Punjab will support his commutation. He is terrorist & should be hanged without any delay to send a strong signal that extremism in any form will not be tolerated. Else be prepared for more such attacks on one pretext or another.
Drama enacted by the Punjab Government, the future history will not
pardon. If one order is passed by Court, the concerned Govt. making
drama -- then what is the status and sanctity of our own laws. Rajiv
Gandhi killers are supported Tamilnadu Government, Afzal Guru who
attacked the so called temple of democracy is supported by vested
interested political parties like Congress and BJP,Kasab who killed
innocent persons is being supported vote bank power politics and so
on. Then only innocent persons are hanged. If this is law of land in
India prevailed. Any sane person can think what will happen in future
to this country. For all this mess who is responsible -- no other than
our unscrupulous politicians of all parties. As Supreme Court observed
GOD ONLY SAVE THIS COUNTRY.
Dear writer, what ever crime a person commits, he/she always has belief or made to believe that those are correct. If we pardon criminal based on the righteousness of their mind then in this case we don't even need a law. Every body can do what ever they want and think that is right. Balwant and his group might be right(justifying themselves) in assassination of CM but death of innocent there can't just be termed as collateral damage. Committing crime and then admitting that publicly should not make any one a hero and same is applied to the this case also.
Very well written article in reply to the comment by arun sharma. How was he democratically elected when only 8% of the population voted because no just leaders were allowed to stand. Does he care about the 50000 innocent Sikhs that were killed at the hands of evil beant. If you do not you are not a good person but a supporter of the inian hitler. Bhai balwant ji killed a hitler he will be written in history as a lion.
A True Hero !
I have a question for those who think Balwant should be hanged.Why
dont anyone raises voice against those who killed thousands innocent
in Delhi, Kanpur & many other cities in 84 ? How come the Killers are
rewarded with Ministries & Parliament tickets ? I think before
declaring Balwant a terrorist , we should also think about the
circumstances which created such environment for people like Balwant.The
Govt. with the help of Police & CRPF Killed more than 50,000 youth in
Punjab, fake encounters,Rapes n all that ! Please have a look at the
both sides of coin.
At last a balanced and responsible piece of journalism from the Indian media, instead of the
usual biased, sensationalist reports that carelessly emerge.
In response to some of the comments - Balwant Singh does not deny his wrong doing, but
offers his own justification of it, accepts guilt and is even willing to accept the harshest
punishment possible! All because he is a man of strong an honest principle.
Comparing Gandhi to the tyrant chief minister Beant is an insult to Gandhi himself, so I do
not understand how you come about with the comparison.
Should the soldier who shot Bin Laden be executed? Or what about those responsible for
ending the lives of Gadaffi and Saddam Hussein? A tyrant is a tyrant.
Sikhs have constantly laid down their lives for India, for justice, for freedom and without
discrimination - and I am sure they will continue to do so. And in return they have suffered
persecution at the hands of their own Government. The nation must support positive
principles.
Someone who cold bloodedly decides to kill innocents to further his beliefs/cause doesn't deserve any respect or pardon. The guilty should be punished, according to the law of the land. It may be true the reasons for his actions deserves sympathy (so do in may other cases). But that doesn't in any way justify his disrespect for the lives of other innocents who were killed due to his actions.
It is very important to understand what led these people to do such act of violence and who are the actual culprits..
We need more Newspaper and TV channels like The Hindu... Which bring out the truth and not just rumours and sensationalized news.
An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.If my people are being killed in some name, it will make me angry but if I start killing people in this pretext I am not any different from the people who started it.We have the justice system and get our justice delivered through this system. The anger must be channelized this way and not by killing others.
Hi,
First of all I am not a sikh. I have several Sikh friends and do not
bother about religion of my friends and neighbors.
However, What options anyone have when all legal/official ways are not
solving problems? When injustice prevails and convicts run for
Parliament and are law makers…Should the victim just sit there and
wait for god or some unknown power to save him or should he act in
self-defense by eliminating his opponents who are ruthlessly killing
and targeting a community. And these opponents are not bothered about
law .. they are not scared nor punished till now...
This story of the Mr. Balwant sing is a long term result of religious
and caste based politics played by the only lady PM of our
country...Can anyone deny this?
State has every right to hang someone in larger interest of society , but in this case the person concerned belongs to a long dead movement , his death would unnecessarily ignite passions thereby creating rift in the society .
His death must be commuted to life sentence and thereby disallowing any chance of false glories to him
I would like to congratulate Yug Chaudhry on this balanced and passionate defence
of human dignity. He displayes the same kind of courage that has been shown by
Rajowana, but sadly lacking amongst much of the so-=called 'free' Indian press
media.
The reason why Rajowana has awoken a nation is that has shown a kind of honesty,
courage and dedication to justice that is sadly lacking amongst many of our Indian
political leaders. He is willing to hang for his 'crimes' in killing CM Beant Singh who
remember was responsible for 1000's of extra judicial killings. He was elected in an
uncontested election where only 7 % of the electorate vote.
Democracy is predicated on honest political leaders, a free media and free judiciary.
Sadly India fails miserably on all 3 counts. And so the people are now looking to the
likes of Rajowana and Hazara to give us back out country through popular mass
movements. The Arab Springs are now bouncing across to to the sub-continent.
This is only the beginning
Excellent idea Sir. We must not hang him. Why have Judiciary at all. Lets us forgive and forget. Would you have applied the same argument to Dara Singh who burnt alive Australian Missionery Staines for converting Hindus and offending their sentiments OR to those Gujaratis Hindus who were outraged when 58 Kar Sewaks were burnt alive.
Not a word about thousands of Hindus killed by Khalistani Terrorists? Hindus have feeling surely. 20,000 Indians were killed in terror related violence between 1983 and 1993 in Punjab. What about their sentiments Sir?
The problem with most Indians is, most have prejudiced opinions, based on their race, caste, religion, ad infinitum. And thus, not many can derive an unbiased thought. This article though has brought out a very open-minded aspect of Balwant Singh's case. Few would contend that Balwant Singh is a political criminal who committed murder through an act of terror. As the author rightly points out, he, unlike many convicts, has admitted to his act, and further, has appealed that no one object to his death sentence. He is a mere product of our society, which has, across the past many years, through decrees that foment hatred between religious communities, committed unthinkable acts of violence and murder of innocents including women and children. When the justice system fails to punish those in power who indulge in such acts, many surviving victims end up pursuing the same path of violence in vengeance. Balwant is one such man.
Bravo 'The Hindu'. The 1st in the mainstream media to bring out the truth, not just
biased news.. Also! for the knowledge of other readers, please be aware that Indian
security forces murdered Balwant Singh Rajoana's brother, kept his sister in different
interrogation centers, raped her repeatedly before murdering her, insulted his father
and brother-in-law AND never took any action against the police officers. It
happened all over Punjab as well.
I want to ask Mr Arun Sharma that when you haven't got justice from the law, from the Govt or from anyone..In that case what will you do?
Have the killers thou sands of 84 riots innocents been penalized, they are roaming freely? Is this a justice for people of minor community. You has a person of Hindu community can't feel their sentiments.
Beant Singh killed so many innocents including militants. What were the fault of those innocents killed. Those must be the son, child , father etc of someone..And Why Bhai Balwant regrets from his action, as he took the revenge...I agree 16 other innocents were killed. But when there is a ratio of 1 to 50 then i will definitely support to save 50 in place of 1 life.If the defaulters could have penalized me and even Bhai Sahib would be in the favor of execution.....
Arun Sharma please read the article properly. it has the answers for all your questions
I completly agree with what Mr.Arun Sharma wrote.Our Country is governed through rule of law,it means that no is above the law.No person should be given any privelege if he voilates the law.If Mr.rajona justify's his act as right then it does not mean that his act is justified by law.Hon'ble court has given its judgement of the basis of facts and law.
Creating such a situation and making a criminal hero is chanlanging the rule of law.
Whatever arguments Mr.Chowdhry is making would have been taken into consideration by the courts. So these arguments don't have any value after the judgement has been give.
However, having said that I would say that it is time to Abolish Death Penalty and convert capital punishment to Imprisonment to ensure uniform implementation of the law.
This is a matter of serious concern.
A terrorist, with no sign of remorse of killing a democratically
elected CM, and 15 other innocents is made a hero. Godse killed Gandhi, and his stand was also similar, full of haterd and anguish, much more severe than Balwant Singh. Shall we glorify him, shall we tell the world that his hanging was against the humanity. All the rapists also have some state of mind, whether lust, hatred or just for fun. Shall we give amnesty to all rapists also.
Haw can a terrorist be a hero for a particular community, be it Kasab, be it shanthi,murugan,perarivalan or be it Balwant? We have to mark a line somewhere. If Balwant thinks that he was right in what he did, than let the law take its course and let the justice be met, instead of bowing in pressure.
Truth and non-violence must drive every action of a civilized entity. These eternal truths do not unfortunately drive some entities, necessitating the creation of legal systems. Legal systems need to deliver justice in the form of reward or punishment in proportion to the quality and quantum of the act committed. There is no room for sentiment. This article dwells more on sentiment than the facts of the act and tries to influence the judgment through a sentiment-driven logic. Let us not confuse facts by tampering it with sentiments.
I have been reading about this case, the op-ed has put this account very nicely . I commend such a great op-ed, no bias, only truth.. job well done!
I disagree. A killer does not become worthy of respect and mercy simply because he takes the "principled stance" of not challenging the evidence presented against him in court. What I find appalling is the politicisation of this matter, which is telling evidence of our country's extreme reluctance to act in a law-abiding manner. That this process has taken 16 years is the real tragedy, but now that the die has been cast, the man should be executed without further controversy. Spare a thought for the 15 people that died with Beant Singh in that attack.
It is strange that while Rajoana is trying to do a repeat of a Bhagat Singh like act, he forgets that Bhagat Singh never targeted anyone innocent. No matter how much he is justifying in killing Beant Singh, he can not run away from the fact that his act killed innocent people as well who had nothing to do with militancy or its eradication, with him being fully aware of it. The lives of these people were as important as Beant Singh's! So, while he can/should be pardoned for Beant Singh's killing, he should be help accountable for these forgotten people's lives and their families.
When are you publishing an article on clemency to afzal guru and kasab?
i'm waiting eagerly.this concept and logic is baseless and
rubbish...terrorists have to be given death sentence..there are no two
ways about it...otherwise please don't raise a hue and a cry when
incidents like kandahar hijacking or bombay shoot out happens.After all
by these actions we only send out two signals,firstly that we are a very
weak nation and secondly that anyone can get away scot free from here
The rule of law is supreme. If, after years of deliberation by legal authorities, NGOs, religious heads and the like, the judiciary has decided to execute a person - then it must be done. The state should never bow before sectarian pressure. Giving in to group pressure will only weaken the state - the people. What we need is a strong state, with its head held high - even if it means rustic justice.
Kudos to 'The Hindu'! Not only has it published an 'OP-ED' article on this important and sensitive subject, but also presented the true facts. Majority of the Indian media has not covered the real story behind the assassination of Beant Singh. Yesterday I heard a prominent English news channel editor in chief arguing why not hang Balwant Singh as he himself wanted to be hanged!!! Media persons have just compared Balwant Singh with Afzal Guru and Kasab but not told the story as reported here by 'The Hindu'.
A well written article!
Also completly agree with 'Unbiased Indian' as 'The Hindu' is indeed the first mainstream media house to bring the truth.
For God sake Mr Beant Singh was a CM elected by people.No matter what excesses were made during his tenure, any henious murder,let alone his henious murder can not be justified.I believe every second murderer has some ideologies behind murder.But to forgo death senteces because of only this reason is not justified.India will have to show iron fist towards terrorism, otherwise tommorrow a naxal may murder a CM again and may present samr ideological arguement to escape death penalty.
There is a reason , why the capital sentence still exist in India.
Bravo 'The Hindu'. The 1st in the mainstream media to bring out the truth, not just biased news..
If commuting the death penalty to balwant singh is fair,then it should be also fair to commute shanthi,murugan,perarivalan death sentence.Because rajiv gandhi also did the same mistake by sending peace keeping force to srilanka which results in historys cruel moments.
It is indeed sad, that the state has developed cold feet, he killed humans, did he thought of mercy when he killed innocent people. it would set bad precedence for the cases of Rajiv Gandhi Assassins, Parliament attackers and many more to follow.
Yug Mohit ji, I appreciate your rational sentiments and proposals. One correction though - Rajoana Ji is/was not a member of any organisation (you mention Babbar Khalsa). He stands tall and proud as a true Sikh beholden only to the Guru Granth and Guru Panth (Sri Akal Takhat). He should be freed unconditionally and take his place as an honourable citizen of the world, having walked the talk of freedom, equality and justice for all.
Thank you for finally an intelligent, refreshing and unbiased piece of reporting in the case of Balwant Singh. It was sickening to read other newspapers calling him a terrorist and that clemency was being sought to spare his life. None of this is true as evident in this report.
Indeed, chaudhry has made a profound and thought provoking
apppeal.killing for killing will not bring any solution to the
problem.By being merciful enough towards the sentimentality of the
people and being considerate towards death penality altogether is the
need of the time.
I congratulate The Hindu for publishing an excellent article telling the 'other side' of the story too when the rest of the media is busy demonizing Balwant Singh Rajoana.
I am quite disappointed reading this column. He is a victim of anti-sikh riots does not give him license to become a life-taker. What about the 16-odd people who died in suicide bombing. Do their kin have to take up laws in their own hands and avenge their killing? Being citizens we always can have a say in the government. Terrorism is not the way.
Lets not set a wrong example.
No problem.We have learnt to live with Bhinderanwallahs very hard way. Of course we would survive again.
Beautiful Article Chaudry Sahib Jeeo, makes me take pride with how much passion and where you mention :
"Indeed, I find myself stricken with paralysis in the face of his compelling, courageous and principled position"
This should be the goal of every Indian no matter which background they come from, to persuade India and it's system to wake up.
The death penalty is a retrogressive step in Punjab. Before any European countries got around to abolishing the death penalty (Portugal 1867), the Punjab under the Sikh ruler, Maharajah Ranjit Singh (1801-1839), had removed capital punishment. British colonialism restored the death penalty.
But India went further by enacting laws that assumed guilt until proven otherwise (TADA) and a constitutional amendment (59th ) for 2 years which removed the primary responsibility of the State (Article 21 Indian constitution) to protect life and liberty. Until the UN reminded Indian legislators of the State's Raison d'eter.
S.Balwant Singh Rajoana's sentence should be mitigated , he has
already served 16 precious years of his life in prison. He has not
denied the charges against him ,he has been totally honest by giving
reasons for his action . S. Balwant Singh , by accepting and declaring
action for the cause has thrown the ball back into the Justice system
of India to find the answer . Indian Government ought to look in the
mirror and ask itself , weather they are the cause of the killings .
My request to the Indian government , treat your citizens fairly ,
without discrimination ,hence the country will prosper and everyone be
happy .
However eloquent, this argument is a misplaced one. If Mr. Rajoana and his associates believed that they had a right to kill for reasons of personal faith, the State, on whose impartiality the citizens of every kind depend, has an obligation to punish such individuals. What is at issue is not a matter of mercy but of obligation of a morally founded State towards protection of its citizens. The fault of the State is in its inability to maintain speed and pace of the judicial process while adhering to highest standards of impartiality. Delays in execution of anti-nationals such as the assassins of late Mr. Rajiv Gandhi led to creation of political bargains. With Mr Rajoana, some interests are perhaps trying to gain new advantages? In the future, the State should consider creating military tribunals to try those caught in conspiracies and acts to murder those in constitutionally approved executive or judicial positions.
This terrorist has not repented. So why should he be pardoned?
Where is the justice for the victims? That's right - we should crying for the murderers not victims. It is victim's fault that they are victims. If I follow this esteemed lawyer's logic, anybody upset at this terrorist is free to kill him or his supporters. There should be no punishment for that person.
To state that victims be denied justice for political expediency and in the name of not shedding any more blood is vile and abomination for civilized societies.
Well argued. I would only add the family of Beant Singh appear not to be pressing for the death penalty and Balwant Singh Rajoana has served almost 2 decades in prison. So for those that argue some price has to be paid for supporting the taking of a life - it has been. For those that are willing to consider the intention behind his motives (protecting others) and indeed their impact - as well as the particular context of repression, violence and an apparent lack of access to justice and wider political norms - the author provides a strong case for commuting the sentence - for the wider political and public good, even aside from any personal consideration owing to Balwant Singh Rajoan. (Who, as mentioned, declines personal consideration and has only challenged legislators/ others to consider justice for the victims/ wider Punjabi public.
People like Chaudhry are exactly the reason why the nation is becoming more and more lawless every day. In any other civilized society, the likes of Chaudhry would be laughed at for suggesting clemency. The fact remains that Rajoana is a self admitted murderer of 16 people. The fact also remains that he was given due process under the law which found him guilty and awarded him the death penalty. It is clear that even after 16 years, Rajoana does not have even the slightest remorse. However a few political outfits have taken to the streets to accomplish what they could not achieve under the due process of the law. It is a desperate effort to kindle raw emotion and obstruct justice. Chaudhry must be ashamed to support such mobocracy. At this rate we can all set aside our laws and our constitution and settle our disputes on the streets.
Whether you agree with Rajoanas cause or not, this entire situation has arisen from
the governments inability to serve justice to the people of Punjab.
I do not understand why those responsible for mass atrocities against the Sikhs have
not been tried and brought to justice. This, and only this will bring closure to the
global Sikh community; without justice being served (or even sought), suspicion of
conspiracy (Indias' genocidal agenda versus minorities) will continue to be at the
forefront of Sikh Psyche for generations to come. Over the past week I have heard
several political commentators speak of "Punjabs acceptance of what happened in
84, and a shared willingness to move on" - this is not credible.
The article started well, but just life aint over till its over, the writes loses all my respect for his inexcusable final paragraphs.
Firstly, it was not India's terrorial integrity that motivated the Indian Government to systematically malign Punjab and the Sikhs. Since 1947, Punjab had to fight for water rights, for linguistic rights, for even a capital of its own. This fundamental (deliberate?) misunderstanding is what led to the Khalistan movement. The Anandpur Sahib resolution was not for Khalistan, it was for an end to the exploitation of Punjab.
Secondly, the methods used by the State were not questionable. There is no question that the state acted illegally, unjudicially, unjustly and immorally towards the Sikhs. It basically created this situation by its own actions and then came down hard to destroy the subsequent Sikh freedom movement. This is exactly what happens in every 'troubled' state in India. India has failed to deliver justice to many and no Sikh should trust it.
Can someone tell me as to why we have courts or police force ? Do we just want to give employment to some people or we are OK with the tribal justice that the author is potraying here. Millions of Hindus were forced to flee their homes from Punjab and thousands were butchered between June 1977 and June 1984 !!All this happened before Operation Blue Star or 1984 riots ! what justification Babbar Khalsa and other terror outfits have for that? I am also aggrieved loosing my birth place and some of my family members and never got any justice nor anyone cared for me because I am not aggressive enough even to complain ? OR should I blow-up someone to get attention and seek revenge? All this will set a bad precedence. There is abslotuly no discrimination against Sikhs in India.It is a shame that for conveniece and political comfort Govt has bowed to extremists blackmailing.Which sikh will stick out his neck for India, like Beant Singh, in future ?
He should be let to live! This is the easy way to stop the kalistan
rebellion to grow again! Sometimes rules are meant to be subdued. This
way democracy is kept at peace.
I'm very thankful to the author of this opinion piece. It's the first Indian
mainstream article that I have read so far that presents the facts of the case from
the accused's point of view and considers the implications of the case in light of
human rights abuses by the person he assassinated. Most other news and opinion
articles I have read gloss over the background information of the case and instead
present Balwant Singh solely as a violent terrorist who assassinated a Chief
Minister, who, according to most news reporters, "was largely responsible for
eliminating terrorism in Punjab in the 1990s". This piece is the only one so far that
has criticized the perpetrators of state violence in the 80s and asked readers to
look at the Balwant Singh case in light of these facts. Thank you.
If terrorists are not going to be hanged because all the time they
always receive public's demonstration support, then no dangerous
criminals are ever going to get hanged. This sort of demonstrations
should never be permitted in India if they are just going to defend
terrorists. It may be a fair enough to dissolve his death sentence, but
what about the innocent people who died in this sort of incident?
So, Mr. Choudary you are making a hero out of a hardcore terrorist, who in the process of taking revenge on one person assisted in killing 20 others of his own people. Who gave him the right to do so? Can violence be justified with violence?
How can you blame Beant Singh for what he did? He was the only person responsible for bringing back peace to Punjab. And you are justifying persons who killed such a man?
If we agree to your logic and someone tries to implement it, then Modi would be spending sleepless nights.
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