TNI Bureau: The UPA government has a reason to smile while battling against the charges of massive corruption, policy paralysis and handling terrorism with soft hands, after the Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru was hanged. The special credit can be given to President Pranab Mukherjee, who took right decision, which had been pending since August 2005.
Pranab had rejected Guru’s mercy plea on February 3 that led to the execution of Supreme Court’s verdict in the Parliament attack case. The government closed another chapter for which the BJP had been attacking the Centre. Mukherjee did what his predecessors had failed to do over 11 years.
It was big news for millions of Indians, who were unhappy over the delay in delivering the death sentence to Guru.
Earlier, 26/11 attacks convict Ajmal Kasab was hanged after Mukherjee rejected his mercy plea. Kasab was hanged on November 21, 2012 at Pune’s Yerwada Jail. Later, the government moved forward to take a decision on Guru.
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Hence, the President should take extra credit for giving justice to the martyrs. He used his power and position at right time when the UPA government, which had endorsed him as its Presidential candidate, is facing criticism from all the ends.
The Home Ministry had recommended the death sentence of Guru on January 21. It is being analysed that Mukherjee is more active while taking decisions in the case of terrorism or any crime. Recently, he was in the news for giving his nod to the ordinance on sexual crime.
It could be analysed that both the hanging decisions came before the Parliament sessions. While Kasab’s death sentence was executed days before the winter session, Guru was hanged days before the Budget Session of Parliament.
Guru’s hanging would bring relief for Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who is facing criticism from the BJP for his ‘Hindu terror’ remark. Now, He would face the questions at the House with confidence.
Mukherjee, in true sense, could be called as trouble shooter for Congress while the government is facing criticism for scams and growing number of sexual assault cases.