Journalism of Courage
Seeking clemency for Khalistani terrorist Devenderpal Singh Bhullar,Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Monday sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs immediate intervention.
We asked the Prime Minister to find a way so that he (Bhullar) can be granted clemency, said Badal after meeting Singh. Citing the law and order situation in Punjab,the CM said,I have the experience of how much the country has lost due to incorrect decisions. In the interest of the state,in the interest of the country,we are asking to stop it (Bhullars execution).
Warning that the Centre or a state government has to pay the price if it commits even a small mistake,Badal said: What we need most is peace and harmony. If it affects peace and harmony,it will become an emotive issue. We are warning the government that people are emotional. Moreover,he is in a poor health condition… what will they gain by hanging him?
A memorandum submitted by Badal to Singh,on behalf of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD),said: The process must be started for finding ways to ensure that the ends of justice do not clash with the long-term interests of the nation and with the objectives and operation of statesman-like approach in such sensitive matters. In the overall national interest and in the interest of peace and communal harmony in the country in general and in Punjab in particular,the death penalty in this case may be commuted to life imprisonment.
The memorandum added: While we are deeply committed to maintaining peace and communal harmony in the state,the governments have no control over the emotional and psychological damage that such a case can inflict on collective social psyche. This damage must be avoided at all costs.
It said that in matters relating to death penalty,there is legal and constitutional requirement for putting the case beyond all reasonable doubt. This was clearly not done in the case of Bhullar. The presiding judge of the bench of the Supreme Court that decided the appeal in this case had recommended acquittal of Bhullar and delivered a strong note of dissent.
The party also referred to reports that the doctor attending to Bhullar had expressed serious concern over his health. …Legal and constitutional propriety demanded that the death penalty against Bhullar should not be executed because of the condition of his health. The long years spent by Bhullar in jail and the condition of his health is well known to all, it said.
The Punjab CM and Deputy CM also met Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde separately.
