Hang Yakub Memon; Make India strong against Terrorism

Your Excellency,

22 years after the ghastly afternoon which ripped apart lives and struck terror into the very heart of our nation, we have reached a point where we can deliver justice to those who lost their near and dear ones in the 1993 blasts of Mumbai. The Honorable Supreme court has pronounced Yakub Abdul Razak Memon guilty of playing a role in the blasts and sentenced him to death. However, a certain group of eminent people are clamouring for a lenient view for the person who was responsible for the untimely death of 257 innocents. They have presented a long and elaborate list of arguments as to why Your Excellency should commute the death sentence that has been awarded to Yakub Memon. If it may please Your Excellency, we would like to present a few points on why we are appalled with this demand for clemency.

1. The Honorable Supreme Court of India has examined the evidence in the case and pronounced the verdict. By asking for clemency for the convict, it would seem that certain people are trying to soften the country’s stance against terrorism. This cannot be acceptable to any self respecting patriot.

2. The plea calls attention to Yakub Memon’s schizophrenia, citing his mental health as a reason for clemency. However, if we look at states like United States of America, we see examples like those of Askari Abdullah Muhammad, a convict with paranoid schizophrenia who was executed in interest of the common good.

3. The plea calls for clemency based on a claim that Yakub Memon has suffered enough over the last 20 years of trial. We would like to remind you of the sacred Bhagavad Gita, the light of the world, in which the word ‘Atatayinaha’ is mentioned. According to Vedic injunctions there are six kinds of Atatayinaha (or aggressors) : (1) a poison giver, (2) one who sets fire to the house, (3) one who attacks with deadly weapons, (4) one who plunders riches, (5) one who occupies another's land, and (6) one who kidnaps a wife. Such aggressors are at once to be killed, and no sin is incurred by killing such aggressors. So Dharma calls for dealing with aggressors with a heavy hand.

4. Pardoning a terrorist who is responsible for wanton death and destruction, solely based on a petition that is signed by prominent people, may set a dangerous precedent. In future, any criminal with the means to gather such support may have the key to being let off lightly, regardless of how heinous the crime may be.

We, the citizens of India, urge you to take a strong stand against terrorism that has plagued India for decades, and reject the clemency plea petition lodged in favour of Yakub Memon. By doing so, you will light a ray of hope in the minds of those hapless victims of terrorism who look up to the Government to provide them with justice. Also, this should serve as a reprimand to those who support ‘humanity’ of terrorists and in turn terror itself.

Your compatriots
The Citizens of India

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