Guru's Execution

GURU'S EXECUTION

The CPM and CPI journals critised the manner of the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. "The rejection of the mercy petition was not informed to the convict and the family... was not given the opportunity to meet him for the last time. That a letter by registered and speed post was sent to the family informing them about the rejection of the mercy petition and the date of the execution makes this act of commission all the more glaring and callous," CPM weekly People's Democracy says.

"After the rejection of mercy petition by the president, the convict has the right of review. In this case that right has been denied," CPI journal New Age claims. People's Democracy notes that unlike in other cases, the rejection of the mercy petition was quickly followed by Guru's execution. "The feeling that a Kashmiri is expendable while those from other parts of India are not will only be reinforced... With the UPA government singularly failing to take any concrete steps for advancing political dialogue and a political solution, the way Afzal Guru was executed will only fuel more alienation..." it says.

CORRUPTION IN DEFENCE

An editorial in the CPI(ML)'s ML Update criticises the government for the corruption in the chopper deal. "Why has the government been sitting idle since the scam came to light in 2011, reacting only now... And instead of entrusting the CBI, which is notoriously slow and politically pliable, why can't we have a special investigation team monitored directly by the Supreme Court?" it asks.

The article points out that the Obama administration had rejected the offer for similar VVIP choppers, finding it too costly. "This clearly shows the Indian government's profligacy when it comes to defence purchases... India's defence budget is never subjected to any rational scrutiny and is treated as a holy cow... How many more scams will it take to convince us that the defence budget is routinely raised and inflated only to hide more scams?" it asks.

... contd.

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