Nagpur ( Maharashtra [India], April 10 (ANI): Maharashtra Congress MLA, Vijay Wadettiwar On Thursday demanded the imposition of the death penalty for Tahawwur Rana , one of the principal suspects in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. However, he appealed to the BJP not to turn the issue into a political debate.
Wadettiwar told ANI that Rana must be swiftly transferred to India and executed. He stated that someone who assaulted Mumbai and claimed numerous lives deserves no leniency. Additionally, he emphasized that this issue shouldn’t be exploited for political purposes.
" BJP Shouldn't use Rana's name for votes in the forthcoming elections... If they had succeeded in bringing Dawood Ibrahim, it would have been considered a greater accomplishment. BJP ," he added.
On Thursday, Union Minister Piyush Goyal criticized the Congress party for failing to take action against those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terrorist strikes, an incident that resulted in 166 fatalities.
Taking a dig at Congress, Goyal argued that the then government did the job of "serving Biryani" to Ajmal Kasab, one of the accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to bring those who attacked the country to justice and ensure that they get punished on Indian land.
"While Congress was in power, terrorists struck the very hotel where we're now located. Innocent lives were lost here. Yet, Congress took no action against those responsible. Even the captured terrorist, Kasab, was provided with Biryani. But under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, his firm stance ensures that such attackers will face justice and receive their due punishment. All citizens of India take pride in Prime Minister Modi for his commitment to holding all perpetrators accountable on this soil," stated Goyal to ANI.
The Union Minister further lashed out at the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), accusing them of engaging in "appeasement politics" more than the Congress party. Intensifying his attack against the INDIA bloc, Goyal argued that they couldn't think beyond appeasement politics.
"Even if an individual is Muslim and has committed a significant offense, Sanjay Raut will still choose to represent them. Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena practices vote-buying tactics more frequently than the Congress party does. The INDI alliance lacks innovative ideas and remains fixated on such political strategies without embracing constructive thought processes. In contrast, Prime Minister Modi aims to eradicate Naxalism. Likewise, we won’t tolerate terrorism either,” Goyal stated.
Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Majeed Memon stressed the importance of conducting a "fair trial" just like it happened for Ajmal Kasab, who was given a death sentence for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He said that it was an accomplishment for the country that a "disgusting" terrorist was handed over.
Memom raised concerns about the postponement in extraditing the suspect. Tahawwur Rana , resulting in delayed justice, stating that the extradition should have occurred earlier.
Memon contended that his extradition still counts as an “achievement” because it ensures justice will be upheld when Rana faces trial in Indian courts for his involvement in the terrorist acts that claimed innocent lives.
This achievement is significant as a despicable terrorist, who had been evading capture, has now been brought to face justice. We cannot overlook event (26/11), since the malicious plot orchestrated by these terrorists took place in India’s economic hub. In this occurrence on November 26, 2008, unfortunately, 166 individuals lost their lives,” stated Memon to ANI.
He emphasized the global significance of the trial for the accused terrorist Rana and advocated for a fair proceeding. He contended that an impartial criminal trial is essential to uncover the facts, similar to how justice was administered in the Kasab case where the court provided a lawyer for his defense. (ANI)