13th December

What is the first thing that clicks in our minds when we hear 13 December? Well of course apart from the fact that its my Birthday. This day of year 2001 was the BLACK day in the history of India. This is the day; Indian Parliament was attacked by Terrorists. About 100 of your beloved Members of Parliament were taken hostage. The worst part being 12 of members of security at parliament were killed and 22 injured. This was definitely a black day for India as well as to the democracy as whole.

I hope you all remember the statement from our then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, "This was not just an attack on the building, it was a warning to the entire nation," he said. "We accept the challenge."

A large scale search operation was carried out and people were arrested. Our Law agencies did a commendable job and made required arrests by 2002. One of them was Mohammad Afzal Guru.

Mohd Afzal was found guilty for masterminding the complete operation and was sentenced to death by trial court on Dec 2002. This sentence was then confirmed by the Delhi High court and further upheld by the Supreme Court of India.

Mohd Afzal had moved a clemency petition before the President. And this is 2007; president is still thinking over the petition!

President is taken five years to think over the petition of a person who was found guilty for attack on the Indian Parliament by the Supreme Court of India. Personally I feel, the decision to this petition should have been immediate. A person, who is proved to be guilty for attacking Indian Parliament, should be hanged to death. Where does the question of mercy come in this case? This is an act of treason and death has been a traditional penalty for treason.

Pardoning a crime like this by the president when found guilty by Supreme Court of India, would be a disgrace to apex court and a shame to the country. If people like Md. Afzal are pardoned, India would not be praised for its mercy, but will be mocked for letting out people who are threat to the country. This will only encourage terrorism.

Disclaimer: The thoughts mentioned here are my personal thoughts and are not influenced by any individual or ideology