In a new development, Ajmal Kasab the alleged terrorist implicated in the 26/11 strike on India has expressed his desire to contest the 2014 elections from a South Mumbai constituency. A letter containing this wish, written in Marathi by Kasab’s hand, was handed over by Kasab’s lawyer to the presiding judge Tahliyani, whose expression is best described as dumb founded.
The media went into a tizzy with several questions being raised on the nationality of the Kasab and, to a lesser extent, the heinous crime he is alleged to have committed. While most political parties have refrained from supporting or condemning this move given that Kasab has not yet decided under which emblem he will contest, the Samajwadi Party extended its full and unconditional support to his proposal.
The SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav argued that the court had not yet ruled on his nationality or on his culpability in the 26/11 case. “How can we hold him guilty then?” he quipped before adding that he had full faith in the justice system of India. He also pointed out that if his party began rejecting candidates based on accusations alone then he would be unable to field anyone, anywhere in the country. He went on to cite examples of leaders such as Advani and Sonia Gandhi who were born outside the country but were seen as acceptable candidates by the intelligentsia. He quoted examples of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan and Mother Teresa as proof that one does not have to be born in India to work for her welfare. When it was suggested that a large chunk of Mumbaikars considered Kasab to be guilty, Mr. Yadav uncharacteristically flared up challenging them to then vote him out in the next elections before simmering down and asking people to “let the law take its own course”. He is confident that Kasab would consider SP as the ideal platform for his political career and has even deputed Abu Azmi to negotiate on the Party’s behalf.
The Shiv Sena and MNS went on a rampage as the news broke and attacked and maimed several butchers in various part of the city. Fisherwomen selling their goods on the roadside also faced their wrath as the saffron parties vowed to wreck havoc on anything to do with fishing boats and butchery. “If Kasab is allowed to contest elections, then we will not spare a single butcher in the whole state” a MNS leader said to the media amidst the mayhem though was unable to give the exact reason for targeting butchers.
Shabana Azmi welcomed Kasab’s move and called him “one of our own” and reminded the country that Gandhiji has asked us to destroy the evil inside the man and not the man. She said that if Kasab won the election it would be a matter of pride and would be the proof of the strength of India’s democrazy and the “spirit of Mumbai”.
In the meanwhile, Kasab has requested jail authorities to supply him with an Urdu copy of the Indian constitution and is often seen practising speeches in the lonely confines of his cell. A policeman on condition of anonymity told our bureau that all investigations against Kasab have been discontinued as officers fear retribution should he get elected to the august house.
The media went into a tizzy with several questions being raised on the nationality of the Kasab and, to a lesser extent, the heinous crime he is alleged to have committed. While most political parties have refrained from supporting or condemning this move given that Kasab has not yet decided under which emblem he will contest, the Samajwadi Party extended its full and unconditional support to his proposal.
The SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav argued that the court had not yet ruled on his nationality or on his culpability in the 26/11 case. “How can we hold him guilty then?” he quipped before adding that he had full faith in the justice system of India. He also pointed out that if his party began rejecting candidates based on accusations alone then he would be unable to field anyone, anywhere in the country. He went on to cite examples of leaders such as Advani and Sonia Gandhi who were born outside the country but were seen as acceptable candidates by the intelligentsia. He quoted examples of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan and Mother Teresa as proof that one does not have to be born in India to work for her welfare. When it was suggested that a large chunk of Mumbaikars considered Kasab to be guilty, Mr. Yadav uncharacteristically flared up challenging them to then vote him out in the next elections before simmering down and asking people to “let the law take its own course”. He is confident that Kasab would consider SP as the ideal platform for his political career and has even deputed Abu Azmi to negotiate on the Party’s behalf.
The Shiv Sena and MNS went on a rampage as the news broke and attacked and maimed several butchers in various part of the city. Fisherwomen selling their goods on the roadside also faced their wrath as the saffron parties vowed to wreck havoc on anything to do with fishing boats and butchery. “If Kasab is allowed to contest elections, then we will not spare a single butcher in the whole state” a MNS leader said to the media amidst the mayhem though was unable to give the exact reason for targeting butchers.
Shabana Azmi welcomed Kasab’s move and called him “one of our own” and reminded the country that Gandhiji has asked us to destroy the evil inside the man and not the man. She said that if Kasab won the election it would be a matter of pride and would be the proof of the strength of India’s democrazy and the “spirit of Mumbai”.
In the meanwhile, Kasab has requested jail authorities to supply him with an Urdu copy of the Indian constitution and is often seen practising speeches in the lonely confines of his cell. A policeman on condition of anonymity told our bureau that all investigations against Kasab have been discontinued as officers fear retribution should he get elected to the august house.
No comments:
Post a Comment