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Gurudatta Joglekar Co-Founder, O2, Breathing Brains! A Training and Placement Institute

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Yakub’s hanging - Closure of something old or the start of something new?

Asaduddin Owaisi, one of the greatest orator/debater on my list, is said to be disappointed by Yakub’s execution. Here are some of his arguments, my take and conclusion (with a question).

Argument one. Owaisi claims that the capital punishment was executed because Yakub lacked political backing. Apparently, President of AIMIM, known for its radical Islamic views, is claiming this. Furthermore, Owaisi studied L.L.B. in London and Barrister-at-Law in England (Refer Asaduddin Owaisi ). Surprised to see this party coming into the picture just recently. More surprised to see Owaisi not fighting for Yakub so far. Watch this video of Owaisi demanding money for Muslims. If he was so bold to demand 2 lakhs in the house, then, why didn’t he stand for Yakub?

Argument Two. One of his prominent argument, a Muslim was hanged (Yakub was hanged because he was a Muslim) and so called Hindu terrorists are still not. He mentioned Godhra, Babri, Sikh riots in Delhi, etc. I disagree to his argument, to some extent. Most of the cases which Owaisi is comparing Yakub’s case to, are still in process.  I agree to his argument, to some extent, for the matter of fact that, I, the citizen of India, do not have much information regarding how a case is treated as ‘rarest of the rare’. We do not really know about a score card, where we can compare Godhra Riots accused to Mumbai blast accused. Say that person A scores 96%, attracts capital punishment and person B has only 80%, attracts life imprisonment.

Argument Three. Owaisi accepts that Yakub is not innocent. He also accepts that he was aware of the conspiracy and even aided it. But, he opines that he was not the main player. More important, he says, was his behaviour subsequent to his escape from India and his role in exposing the Pakistani hand in the blasts. Precisely, let us all accept, Yakub was not the main player. But, this does not necessarily mean that he cannot invite capital punishment. Perhaps it means that the punishment to be given to XYZ, supposedly the main player in the blast, must be more severe than just hanging him. But, unfortunately, neither is the person with India nor the punishment.

Argument Four. He claimed that Yakub surrendered himself to India and helped Indian Authorities in investigations, sharing top secrets of Tiger Memon and gang, for which, India is expected to show some sympathy. I am not sure if I agree. Sympathy? For being one of the main player, in the act of killing hundreds and injuring thousands?

Looking at the above four perspectives, very few will believe that Owaisi is/was really behind Yakub. Owaisi, in a parliamentary committee meeting had questioned "Hindu" names like Agni, Aakash and Arjun for defence weaponry. Seemingly cunning and deceptive, he is nothing but trying to gain political traction from this hanging!

Keep Owaisi aside, watch Yakub Memons only interview . Seems to be very innocent, with a clear conscience and high on morality? An engineer, in my late 20’s, I fear I am not a proper person to decide whether he was guilty or not. And surely nobody, to confront the Indian Law.

All this is bound to have a direct and tangible impact on upcoming Bihar elections. But, if we consider the larger picture, I am hinting towards a really bigger scale. I really do not know if Yakub’s hanging is the closure of something old or the start of something new?