Mumbai: In a contemptuous attack on the BJP led government for its decision to hang 1993 Mumbai blast convict Yakub Memon, Parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi Wednesday wondered if the same punishment will also be given to the perpetrators of Babri Masjid demolition, Mumbai and other riot convicts, and Hindutva terrorists.
“Why haven’t the perpetrators of Babri Masjid demolition been convicted, and will they also be given the capital punishment, as that (demolition of the Babri Masjid) is the original sin”, Owaisi, a barrister who is the president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), said while talking to ummid.com on phone.
Owaisi was commenting on the hanging of Yakub Memon which is slated on July 30 – his birthday. Yakub Memon – a Chartered Accountant, had surrendered with his family members before the Indian authorities after the 1993 Mumbai blasts which had killed over 250 people. The series of blasts took place soon after the deadly riots that followed the demolition of Babri Masjid by Hindu fanatics.
Stating that Sri Krishna Commission report has been kept in cold storage first by the Congress and now by the BJP, Owaisi said, “About one thousand people were killed in communal riots that followed the Babri Masjid demolition. Many police officers were booked under grievous charges, including murder. How many were convicted? All went scot-free.”
Owaisi however declined any comment on Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss Memon’s curative petition saying, ‘it exonerated the Muslims accused in the Akshardham terror attack’.
Owaisi also asked if the Hindutva terrorists – now in jail for their involvements in the Samjhouta Express, Malegaon, Hyderabad Makkah Masjid and Ajmer blasts, will also be given the same punishment as Yakub Memon.
“Will Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, Col Purohit and Swami Aseemanand get capital punishment. This is upto the NIA to prove their guilt in courts”, Owaisi said.
Drawng parallel between Mumbai blasts and Rajive Gandhi assassination, Owaisi said the killers were shown mercy because they have political backing.
“Rajiv Gandhi and Beant Singh killers have backing of political parties. That is why they have not been sent to gallows”, he said.
Recalling how Memon surrendered before the Indian authorities and helped in the investigations, Owaisi said, “I agree with Siddharth Vardharajan (noted journalist) who said that why hang Yakub Memon when he proved Pakistani involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bombing.”
Owaisi also said that Maya Kodnani and Babu Bajrangi – both convicted to life for killing 97 Muslims during the 2002 Gujarat riots, but the Modi government did not allow appeal to enhance their punishment to death.
(Ummid)
