This refers to Seema Sengupta’s article, “Lessons to be learned from Sarabjit Singh episode,” (May 6). After Sarabjit’s killing in a Pakistani prison, Indian journalists are trying hard to cover up India’s secret wars and state-sponsored terrorism against its neighbors. The Indian government’s failure to protect an innocent Pakistani who had strayed across the border and who died in an Indian jail has now heightened tensions between the arch-rivals.
If the past is any indicator, Sanaullah Ranjha who suffered fatal injuries as a result of a preconceived attack in Jammu is neither the first victim of India’s hatred against Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails, nor will he be the last. This hatred manifests itself in many forms.
Not long ago, an Indian serviceman was found involved in terrorist attacks killing scores of Pakistani citizens aboard the Lahore-bound Samjhauta Express. The imprints of RAW, India’s dreaded intelligence agency, were visible in the attack.
That Sarabjit Singh was an Indian-sponsored terrorist is now an open secret. He bombed innocent citizens in one of Pakistan’s major cities. His crime was as horrendous as that of Ajmal Qasab, the only difference between the two being that of religion and nationality. While Qasab was a villain, Sarabjit is a hero because he helped India’s intelligence agency kill innocent Pakistani citizens. The circumstances in which Sarabjit was attacked need investigation, but does this attack justify the Indian government operatives’ facilitation of the murder of Sanaullah?
Terrorism can never be justified. It has no creed, color or religion. It must be condemned irrespective of whoever is the perpetrator. Since the tragic events of 9/11, the people of Islamic countries are being taught this liturgy by the shamans of the free world. If they believe what they teach, they must condemn India for sending terrorists to kill innocent citizens in neighboring states. Their media must condemn Indian intelligence agency for inciting trouble in neighboring states, and their intelligentsia must ask India to look inward for causes of political upheavals. It must ask why Narendra Modi continues to rule Gujarat where state-sponsored terrorism resulted in the terrible killings of Muslims a decade ago.
There should be no double standard when dealing with terrorism. It is a scourge which should be uprooted completely. — Aisha Rashid, Jeddah
Sarabjit was a terrorist
