Headlines
Memon sentenced to death as no political backing: Owaisi
Hyderabad, July 29
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi
on Thursday contended 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon got a
death sentence because he did not have any political backing, unlike the
killers of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and Punjab chief minister
Beant Singh.
Owaisi, who is the MP from Hyderabad, also said
that if Memon is to be hanged, the perpetrators of Babri Mosque
demolition should also be hanged.
"If capital punishment given by
court of law can bring closure to innocent victims of bomb blast, I
demand capital punishment should also be given to actual (plotters) in
demolition on Babri Masjid," Owaisi said.
"...I still stand by
the statement I made, capital punishment is being given because there is
no political backing. I corroborate my comment by saying it is for
every one to learn how Akali Dal has saved the killer of Beant Singh.
How Tamil parties have saved killers of Rajiv Ganhdhi from being sent to
gallows," he said.
He said it was a "fact that Memon surrendered
and was not arrested" and had cooperated with the investigation
agencies to show real perpetrators were Pakistan's ISI and Tiger Memon
"but is being sent to gallows". Owaisi also cited the statements of
Justice Katju and various other judges who said he does not deserve
capital punishment.
"I hope and pray peace will prevail... my
stand I will take to my grave. Yakub was involved but he did not deserve
capital punishment. He got capital punishment because the then
Narasimha Rao government cheated him because he did not have political
backing," he reiterated.
Also noting that Muslim leaders in
Mumbai were being asked to ensure peace, he questioned why leaders from
other communities were not being asked.
"Yes we have to maintain
peace, law and order at all cost, but I am really surprised and shocked
that in Mumbai and Maharashtra, police are only calling Muslim leaders
and telling them to cooperate. Cooperation has to be given by every
section of society," Owaisi added.