We see the worst possible example of an ‘eye for an eye’ mentality come into play. It must be stopped. PHOTO: FILE
Here, of course, we see the worst possible example of an ‘eye for an eye’ mentality come into play. It must be stopped. More deaths like this must not take place at any cost. They indicate just how much hatred can be aroused in people, with the prison happenings, of course, a microcosm of a far wider problem. This matter needs to be discussed, negotiated and sorted out between the two nations. But this, of course, will take time. Months, years, very possibly decades; right now, what we need to do is ensure the other Pakistani prisoners are safe. They all face a risk in the current environment. Indeed, even in the past, they have been attacked or mistreated.
The two countries need to decide on security measures to be adopted. This should happen urgently. The possibility of sending prisoners home should also be discussed. We cannot have more incidents of this nature take place. Everything possible must be done to prevent them and also investigations carried out to ensure that those who attacked Sanaullah can be duly identified and punished under the law for their crimes. This is vital to set a precedent for the future so other killings are averted.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 6th, 2013.
COMMENTS (5)
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@gp65:
You said it! It is shameful the way people of this subcontinent are behaving with each other. We may be opposed and unfriendly with each other, but that doesn't mean we can't be civilized. What happened to Sarabjit or Sanaullah are examples of extreme incivility. It shows the intolerance and inadequacy of the systems of both countries, and makes us all feel less human.
If either Sarabjit or Sanaullah were to be executed per law, that wouldn't be a cause for concern, but for them to die like this isn't acceptable. So are instances of beheadings or murders of soldiers in each other's custody.
What both countries need to recognize is that, they can have a higher level of civility that they have been displaying without compromising their respective national interests.
Nothing less than the dilution of two nation theory is going to help improve Indo-Pak relations. Stop teaching hatred through history books. Practice Islam by all means, but stop treating non Muslims as lesser human being.
What other "areas" would you want your neighbor to improve on, provided the track record?
Yes. Sarabjit was tnot treated right. Prisoners too have some rights and do not deserve to be bludgeoned to death. Having said that the say applies to Pakistani prisoners in Indian jail. So definitely what happened wasn't correct. When ET describes the Jammu event as revenge it forgets that many Pakistanis considered the Sarabjit episode as revenge too. Anyway these type of tit for tat on helpless prisoners is not a way for anyone to show their national strength or honour.
The one area where India behaved a little better is to allow consular access to the Pakistani prisoner which was denied to Sarabjit by Pakistan. Also thankfully India has taken precautionary steps by separating Pakistani prisoners from Indian prisoners - which is at it should be.