Kasab deserved death, say Muslim clerics

Muslim clerics and scholars have welcomed the capital punishment awarded to the Mumbai terror attack convict Ajmal Amir Kasab saying the court verdict has reiterated the faith of all countrymen in Indian judicial system.

"There could not have been any lesser punishment than capital sentence to Kasab who is responsible for the killing of scores of innocent people and it is the right decision", Vice President of All India Muslim Personal Law Board and noted Shia scholar Kalbe Sadiq told PTI.

"A person responsible for killing scores of people should be hanged many times and we think that the Mumbai court has done justice in the case", Sadiq said adding it has sent a strong message that there would be no leniency to the guilty.

Niab Imam of the idgah and member of the Muslim Personal law Board Khalid Rasheed Firangimahli, while welcoming the punishment, said it would provide some solace to the families of those killed in the Mumbai attack. "The punishment would also be a lesson to all those indulging in anti-India activities--that terrorists would be meted out the strictest of treatments by the country and would act as a deterrant", Firangimahli said.

Firangimahli said the decision has reiterated the faith of all in the judicial system as the acquittal of the other two accused Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin has proved that the innocent would never be punished. "Their acquittal has also proved wrong the theory floated by some vested interests that Muslims were being meted out bad treatment in the country and that everyone, irrespective of his or her caste, creed or community were the same in the eyes of the law", Firangimahli said.

President of All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board Shaista Amber said this decision has given a message that one must have faith in the judiciary and that those attacking the country would not be tolerated. Mohammad Mushtaq of All India Sunni Board said India has set an example before the world by giving a fair trial to the person involved in the crime against its integrity and sovereignty.

President of All India United Muslim Morcha M A Siddiqui said the verdict was in keeping with the sentiments of all Indians. "Death penalty to Kasab has also given us the hope that the vast roots of terrorism spread at the international level would be trimmed and send a clear signal to his mentors", Siddiqui added.