NEW DELHI, Apr 10: The BJP on Thursday slammed senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan over his comments on the legal rights of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, who has been extradited to India from the US.
Reacting sharply to Mr Chavan’s remarks, the BJP accused the Congress of having a “soft corner for terrorism” and claimed that this mindset is the “real reason why terrorists got away till now.” Mr Chavan had raised concerns over the extradition process, suggesting that, like Ajmal Kasab, Rana should also be granted a fair trial.
Kasab, a Pakistani gunman who was one of the only surviving attackers from the 26/11 assault, was executed in 2012 after being convicted. Speaking to the media, Chavan said, “We demand that just like there was a proper trial under Indian laws for Kasab, he had the right to speak for himself and have a lawyer – he was given a lawyer and he had the opportunity to appeal in High Court as well as Supreme Court.”
The Congress leader further remarked that Rana should be given the same rights and face a fair trial, adding, “He (Rana) should be given legal rights and he will have to accept whatever punishment is given to him. A kangaroo court will not function in our country.”
In response, the BJP rebuked Chavan’s remarks and accused the Congress of prioritising the rights of terrorists over those of the victims of the Mumbai attacks. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla stated, “Congress’s is concerned about human rights of Afzal, Yakub and Tahawwur not those of victims of 26/11. This soft corner for terrorism is real reason why terrorists got away till now, but under New India – Modi Govt drags the terrorists back even from Paatal.”
Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, was extradited to India from the United States to face trial for his role in the 2008 terror attacks, which claimed 166 lives. Rana arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening, a day after a multi-agency Indian team flew to the United States to bring him back.
(Manas Dasgupta)
