A friend posted the following on facebook:
"On death penalty for terrorists...why are there two completely different perspectives about this decision (i.e whether its a right or wrong decision)...its a delayed decision that's it.....if anyone feels an attack on national monuments is justified...then we need to rethink about their patriotism..."
I have seen variations of this same idea over the last couple of days and also after the execution of the 26/11 accused.
First of all, why is it considered unpatriotic to voice one's opinion regarding opposition to capital punishment? Patritotism has got nothing to do with it.
With reference to the above post, my response was :-
"It's a matter of perspective.. for a few days after parliament was attacked, there were people jokingly thanking the terrorists and lamenting the fact that not a single politician was killed. Today an entire country wants to celebrate the killing of a terrorist who was in custody.
Apart from appearing seriously blood-thirsty, it also shows that we are all a bunch of cowards who very easily demand justice through killing one man who is the accepted villian for everyone but who are too afraid to speak up against the powerful politicians of our own country, who have committed worse atrocities against citizens of our own country. Where is our patriotism when we mutely allow a NaMo to be CM of Gujarat for 10 years after one of the worst riots in the country.
http://kafila.org/2013/02/09/we-remember-gujarat-2002-and-we-know-youre-lying-about-development/
... where the Congress is still ruling almost 30 years after the riots against the Sikhs.. where people will support the MNS and Shiv Sena even in their intimidation of 'outsiders', the beating up of north-indians..
It is very easy and convenient to raise our voice against a lone pakistani terrorist who is already in jail or already dead. True patriotism is when we will learn to fight the enemy within for those people we call our 'brothers and sisters' in the national pledge, i.e. our fellow countrymen, be they of any caste, class or religion.."
I do think it is time we open our eyes and minds and see our double-standards as well as our own cowardice and intolerance. The day we allow others the freedom of speech and action, the freedom to freely and without fear follow their religion; the day we learn to stand up against atrocities against the marginalised and fight for the rights of our fellow countrymen... that is the day we will be truly patriotic.
"On death penalty for terrorists...why are there two completely different perspectives about this decision (i.e whether its a right or wrong decision)...its a delayed decision that's it.....if anyone feels an attack on national monuments is justified...then we need to rethink about their patriotism..."
I have seen variations of this same idea over the last couple of days and also after the execution of the 26/11 accused.
First of all, why is it considered unpatriotic to voice one's opinion regarding opposition to capital punishment? Patritotism has got nothing to do with it.
With reference to the above post, my response was :-
"It's a matter of perspective.. for a few days after parliament was attacked, there were people jokingly thanking the terrorists and lamenting the fact that not a single politician was killed. Today an entire country wants to celebrate the killing of a terrorist who was in custody.
Apart from appearing seriously blood-thirsty, it also shows that we are all a bunch of cowards who very easily demand justice through killing one man who is the accepted villian for everyone but who are too afraid to speak up against the powerful politicians of our own country, who have committed worse atrocities against citizens of our own country. Where is our patriotism when we mutely allow a NaMo to be CM of Gujarat for 10 years after one of the worst riots in the country.
http://kafila.org/2013/02/09/we-remember-gujarat-2002-and-we-know-youre-lying-about-development/
... where the Congress is still ruling almost 30 years after the riots against the Sikhs.. where people will support the MNS and Shiv Sena even in their intimidation of 'outsiders', the beating up of north-indians..
It is very easy and convenient to raise our voice against a lone pakistani terrorist who is already in jail or already dead. True patriotism is when we will learn to fight the enemy within for those people we call our 'brothers and sisters' in the national pledge, i.e. our fellow countrymen, be they of any caste, class or religion.."
I do think it is time we open our eyes and minds and see our double-standards as well as our own cowardice and intolerance. The day we allow others the freedom of speech and action, the freedom to freely and without fear follow their religion; the day we learn to stand up against atrocities against the marginalised and fight for the rights of our fellow countrymen... that is the day we will be truly patriotic.
Just came across this horrifying account.. Where are we headed?!
ReplyDeletehttp://kafila.org/2013/02/10/two-encounters-with-the-right-wing-anonymous/
I can understand what the ones who advocate capital punishment are thinking - that it would put fear in future violaters or that, with no capital punishment, after public memory has dimmed the criminal would pay someone and be set free. But what if the alleged criminal is innocent or if someone uses capital punishment to get rid of their opponents by pressing false charges? Severe punishment if the criminal is found guilty through the justice system (and not in police custody) is really the best. We should, instead, work towards ensuring politicians aren't above the law.
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