The death sentence for Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist caught alive in the infamous terrorist attack on Mumbai, brings to a close the first scene in the first act of a long lasting drama. Hopefully it is the beginning and not the end for search of justice for the 16 innocent Indian citizens who lost their lives on the dark day of November 26, 2008.
The Mumbai attack was well-planned and dexterously executed with the help of satellite phones and latest gadgets and with solid backing from across the border. Kasab was one of the 10 devils who perpetrated the ghastly crime of killing the ordinary citizens who were caught unawares in CST Station, Taj Hotel, Trident Hotel and elsewhere.
After some more legal battles, to which even the worst criminals are entitled in a country which believes in supremacy of rule of law, let us hope Kasab would be made to meet his death as a punishment for his participation in the massacre. A person who does not show mercy does not deserve it either. The ends of justice would be met only when he is hanged until he dies. And surely there is more punishment for him after the Day of Judgement. There is no escape from it for any evil doer.
The Mumbai massacre had shaken India and was invariably condemned by the entire world as a ghastly crime against humanity. Every sane person must remember that according to the Holy Qur’ān to kill one single innocent person is equivalent to killing of whole humanity. Therefore retribution and punishment has been ordained in cases of murder. Remember that it was no ordinary murder but a massacre. It should not go unpunished.
The special judge M.L. Tahaliyani has also indicted Lashkar-e-Toiba, the Pakistan based terrorist organisation, which is behind the mayhem. Let us hope that our government will pursue the matter and use all diplomatic channels to bring to book the conspirators behind the massacre.
It is the duty of the civil society in our neighbouring country Pakistan to do some heart searching. Is it not a country which was established in the name of Islam? Does Islam allow conspiracies to kill innocent people in a neighbouring country? Why such murderous acts are being tolerated in that country? Crimes breed crimes, murders lead to murders, and conspiracies nurture conspiracies. It is in the interest of Pakistan itself that it does not allow any terrorist activities on its soil. Otherwise no power on earth can prevent it from becoming a failed state. Is it not enough that even mosques and burial grounds in that country are not safe and murders, bomb blasts and massacres are taking place there continuously?
Let good sense prevail on one and all and let us lead a life of peace and tranquillity as civilized human beings and good neighbours.