A moral dilemma

I've always had my reservations about death penalties. Not exactly convinced on their usage. Always felt that taking another life is god's realm and humans, especially those in garb of black gown sitting under a smiley oldies photo, have no business in it. But this particular issue, a severely sensitive one at that, is irking me so much that, thought of posting about it.

I am talking about the appeal raised against the capital punishment sentenced for the (erstwhile) LTTE trio. There are so many reasons, valid and humane at that, with which it can be argued as to why their death sentence should be annulled. But our shameless dirty pigs of politicians have decided to bleed the sentiment, dry out of this one too, which has already cost a poor lady's life. I dont understand how can speaking a common language and belonging to a war ravaged country, contaminated with ethnic cleansing and lead by the worst psychopath of a leader, who would make Khmer rogue guerrillas sound like kindergarten kids, make them qualify for a waiver of a crime they've committed, which has been proven beyond any doubt with authentic evidence.

Those poor guys have already spent not one, not two, but TWENTY years of their lives in prison. If there is anything worse than death, its awaiting it day after day, not knowing when the hangman's noose is going to kiss your neck. These people have undergone that torture for 2 decades of their life. The prime of their youth wasted in the shadow of death. Some might say, the delay was caused by the umpteen mercy pleas raised on their behalf. But again, its easier to be an armchair commentator than to actually live their lives. Saying all this, i do not support their motives or means and definitely not the result. They ARE terrorists, who killed not just a charismatically corrupt leader but 18 other people along with him and resulted in landslide victory leading to formation of a corrupt government. Their single act of terrorism. earned the wrath of his widow, which has now resulted in the eventual doom of their entire organisation. Had it been any other country, these three would've been long dead and might have even reborn.

By passing a resolution, recommending waiver of the death sentence, there by bowing to political pressure AND continuing the game of one up man ship with DMK, the ruling party has set such a horrible precedence, which sends shivers in me to even think of the events to follow. If belonging to the same ethnic group, speaking the same language are good enough reasons to pardon criminals, that too with state Government's endorsement...i couldnt get myself to even finish describing the absurdity of the scenario. Even before i could post this one, there is some organisation asking presidential pardon for Afzal Guru, on similar grounds.

"THILLU MULLU"la Thenga Sreenivasan solra mathiri ..."Murugaaa...intha naatta nee thaaanpaa kaapaathanum"!!!!