Showing mercy for Sarabjit Singh
Certainly, mercy needs to be shown and Sarabjit — who has already served 22 years in Pakistani jails — should be permitted to return home. Singh was arrested in 1990 in connection with a series of bomb blasts that went off in various cities in Punjab, following which he was convicted and condemned to the gallows. He was supposed to be hanged on April 1, 2008, but the decision was stayed following an outcry in India, appeals from the Indian government and orders from Islamabad to put off the sentence. Sarabjit has served a period longer than a life term in jail. In the wake of Dr Chishty’s release following a request by President Zardari, reciprocal action needs to be taken by Pakistan. The move can help bring people of both countries closer.
There are also other reasons why Sarabjit should be released. A question over identity has surfaced previously in the case, with Indian activists stating that the unfortunate Sarabjit was actually mistaken for a man called Manjeet Singh, who actually carried out the bombings. Sarabjit’s counsel insists that there is irrefutable proof that he was in India when the bombings occurred, while the prisoner’s sister, Dalbir Kaur, is also stated to have produced evidence of his innocence. Given the evidence and on the simple basis of humanity, Sarabjit must be freed. Let us hope this happens as soon as possible.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 30th, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
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Islam preaches compassion, benevolence and forgiveness so Pakistani authorities should not detract to exercise these tenets of Islam. whether it is sarjeet, Manjeet or Sarabjeet all have gone through a horrific, terrible and dying life in Pakistani jails, therefore, the sentiments of joy of their families in India at this hour should not be crushed and converted into grief and sorrow. So please bestow mercy on Sarabjeet too and he be released either alongwith Sarjeet or on 14th of August 2012, and take countless suplications(Dua) from people of this soil. This step forward of Pakistan will pay a rich divident. Thanks REHAN INDIA
Pakistan should not show any mercy on terrrorists, it sends a wrong signal. We need to show zero tolerance to terrorists if we were to rid of yourselves of this menace. As for mistaken, this was rejected by the Supreme Court.
There are hundreds of Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails who should rather be released and without any delay.
Surely, there is no comparison between the two, if we are to make comparison, then it must be made on equal grounds. Before, setting free Singh, ask indian freinds on Kasab's account what they have to say. As for as Dr.Chishti is concerned, he was innocent, and apart from that he had completed his due sentence. He was not freed on political grounds but in the wake of Indian CJ action.
The case against Sarabjeet was never proven beyond doubt and he still served a long sentence. Making mercy appeal shows his remorse. Justice should not do an over kill. Let him go home. Let us forgive and forget.
Let him go home. Now.
Mercy and compassion is the basic human trait and should be exercised more frequently. The jail term is awarded to punish the person and to keep him/her in so they are not a threat to society. Those who have done lot of time and are at an age where they are no threat to anybody should be released by both countries. Indian govt and its SC has started the process and we must follow it with a bigger gesture.
Doctor khalil never killed innocent people in India, it was a family matter one person died and he suffered a lot for it. But Surbijit has confessed his involvement in bomb blasts in lahore killing 15 people. You cant compare both cases. Who ll do justice to those 15 families? Surbijit was a spy while doctor khalil was just a random visitor in india at a wrong place at a wrong time.
Pakistan should respond positively to the release of Dr. Chishti by releasing Singh. I'm a Pakistani Muslim but being a human when I consider Singh's family and his relatives and their anguish, I feel he must be freed. I'm aware of the sentiment of those who were affected by terrorist activities alleged on Singh but he has paid much in last 22 years. We are neighbours and we can and we should coexist, it is the need of hour for both countries and Singh's release will send a good message to the other side of border and will help in lessening the enmosity between India and Pakistan.
there is imploring of plenty of citizens of a country then there must be clemency leaning towards the convicted citizen of india though he confessed that he was involved he should be released on the request of the eminent scholars of india. the next point that is productive for both the countries is that there are so many persons prisoners in the both the country there will be a step towards the solution of this problem thanks