[Reader-list] Crime and No Punishment: Malegaon Blast Accused Get a Respite

[Rakesh Iyer]

Dear Rajen jee

While it certainly is a questionable practice not to declassify the
documents of intelligence of about more than 30 years ago, you seem to make
a complete mockery of the investigations in the Malegaon case, as if Hindus
can not be party to any terror blasts within the country, more so those who
believe in the 'Hindutva' ideology.

This is a wrong value-based position and I strongly disagree with it. One
must not forget that the Sangh Parivar is such is based on the ideological
position of disregarding the rights of the minorities to a life of dignity,
and this is certainly a shame when compared with the ideals on which the
Indian Constitution was and is still based. (Unless of course you believe
that the Constitution itself is a shame to begin with).

Any matter must be thoroughly investigated and only after proper
investigations should we derive conclusions from it. Whether it be Malegaon
or Mumbai blasts, this should be the way to go. Also, if matters relating to
the case are present in the public domain, they should be presented to the
public from the point of view of both sides (the accuser and the accused).
And specifically, if people have doubts regarding the direction or certain
matters within the case, these can and should be raised in the media and
elsewhere for public discussion.

The shameful part is that in India, when someone is claimed to be a
terrorist, he/she is taken to be one irrespective of whether the final
investigations indeed state the same or not. The basic notion of 'innocent
until proven guilty' is reversed to be stated as 'guilty even if termed
innocent by courts' in such cases. Whether it be Geelani or Sadhvi Pragya
Thakur, that has happened. I have not seen the concerned articles as
mentioned by Mr. Puniyani, but I believe that unless one has evidence to
prove the judgement as wrong, or valid questions regarding the basis on
which the judgement was made, one should not make atrocious allegations of
this kind.

Therefore, on the same grounds as I feel that Puniyani jee's side may be
wrong, I equally feel that your side can also be wrong.

Regards

Rakesh