31 August,2011 08:36 AM IST | | Sheetal Sukhija
Reacting strongly to the death penalty being awarded to three convicts for involvement in the conspiracy to assassinate former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, over 400 protesters to gather at Town Hall and shouted slogans.
Fight for life: Human rights activists stage a protest at Town Hall
against death the penalty awarded to three convicts for plotting murder
of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. PIC/Ramesh H S
The protesters claimed that since the accused Peraivalan, Murugan and Santhan have served two terms of their life sentences (21 years) already, it only seem right that they be released. Carrying banners, that read 'Death Penalty is the ultimate denial of Human Rights', the protesters shouted slogans and picketed outside the Town Hall. Spokespersons informed that they will be staging a three day protest at the Thiruvaluvar and Ambedkar statutes at Ulsoor, following which they will petition the Governor at the Raj Bhavan, against the decision.
"We are strictly against the death sentence and execution because even if it is in the name of justice, no one has the right to take away life. In that case, rapists should be raped and murderers should be murdered. Furthermore, there are several missing links in the assignation case and we are pressurising the government to conduct a multi-angle investigation," said M Kalaiselvi, convenor, Movement Against Death Penalty.
Narasimha Murthy and activist and lawyer condemned the decision and said, "This is premeditated murder' and 'taking life is revenge and not justice'. This is becoming a Gunda raju00a0-- these three convicts have suffered for over two decades. Over 180 countries have banned executions and India should also follow suit." Meanwhile, the Madras High Court has given a stay order of eight weeks on the execution.
Anna's way
"We do not want to stop with this one case and will pressurise the government like Anna Hazare did and force them into abolishing the death sentence entirely. Executing criminals is not a good thing for a civilised society. Mahatma Gandhi said this many years ago," Kalaiselvi added. Human Rights Activist John Sagai said that the convicts have undergone enough mental trauma and should be released. He said, "These people have been in jail for 21 years and now it is only human to set them free."
