I WISH I had an answer to the question which I term as the Sarabjit Singh problem. He is awaiting execution in Pakistan. The media has once again taken the matter to such a pitch that it has got linked with the country’s izzat (pride). Even otherwise, India and Pakistan area always sitting on a sack of chilly and they jump up on a minute irritation. Instead of talking to each other, they are talking at each other. Even 60 years of estrangement—enmity may be a better word—the two are as inconsiderate, as irresponsible and as distant as they were when they became independent in August 1947.

The Sarabjit Singh problem is a symptom, not the disease. The disease is distrust, bias and something verging on hatred. You solve the Sarabjit Singh problem today and you will have another one like that tomorrow. Both countries are neighbours and both cannot help the geography and history they share. But they seem to have developed a vested interest in spiting each other. Even after three wars, apart from hostilities like the one at Kargil, they have not learnt how to solve their problems between themselves and how to live in peace.

It is good that Islamabad took a larger view on the release of Kashmira Singh. However, I do not understand why he had to serialise “his achievements” in the press. It is difficult to separate chaff from the grain but I have taken his account with a spoonful of salt. He has created ill will among the Pakistanis who have come to link him with Sarabjit Singh. Kashmira Singh has let down many people who worked hard for his release. To gloat over his deeds is demeaning.

To be a spy is not a matter of pride. Spies do not add to the knowledge of governments. They may, at best, confirm certain reports. When the chanceries of both countries, like the rest of the world, have men from the intelligence agencies in the garb of counselors or attachés, why should spies be considered important? They, in fact, are irrelevant in an age where satellites and other sophisticated contraptions collect even the regimental badge on a soldier’s uniform.
I think where India can be faltered is in the death of Khalid Mahmood, a visitor to a cricket match at Mohali, Punjab. His dead body was sent to the Pakistani side in a sack. One, it is hell of indignity to a human being. A body of the dead demands respect and it should be handed over with respect. Two, there is no explanation on this side how Khalid Mahmood died. He is reported to have “loitered” in Punjab and elsewhere and overstayed. Apparently, the police picked him up and he died in their custody.

It is surmised that his death was due to torture by the police. If this is so, why no human rights organisation in India has made noise about it? The National Human Rights Commission could have taken a suo moto notice of death—it can still do that—when the death had aroused a furore in Pakistan and it happened under suspicious circumstances. There has to be an inquiry by the government to go into the case of Khalid Mahmood. Any unnatural death has to be probed under the law.

Yet to link Khalid Mahmood’s death with Sarabjit Singh is not fair. I can understand the feeling of outrage in Pakistan. I can also understand the prevailing opinion that Sarabjit Singh’s execution will be the rightful reply to the treatment meted out to Khalid Mahmood. But it seems to be a tit-for-tat case.

I do no know the Sarabjit Singh case in detail. But should he be hanged? I am in principle against death sentence. As many as 130 countries in the world have abolished death sentence. Unfortunately, both India and Pakistan retain draconian death penalty in their statute books. They should have fallen in line with the civilised countries long ago. I hope they will do so before long.

I was not surprised to find the element of hypocrisy in the speech given by BJP chief Rajnath Singh. He gave a lengthy argument why Sarabjit Singh should not be hanged. But, at the same time, he said that Afzal Guru, sentenced to death for attack on Indian parliament, should be hanged immediately. In fact, he took the Manmohan Singh government to task for the delay. Must the BJP politicise as serious a matter as that of Sarabjit Singh?

To take his case out of the arena of politics, more so from the arena of sour India-Pakistan relations, is important and Sarabjit Singh’s case should be viewed from the humanitarian angle. Legally what Pakistan says is correct. He has been punished by the highest court and the matter ends there. Does it really end if the mercy angle is brought in?

After the interview by Saluddin, chief of Hizbul, that Pakistan has been helping him and other militants diplomatically, morally and militarily, it does not behove well for Islamabad to be occupying the high moral ground. Indian opinion is infuriated after this disclosure. The pressure on relations between the two countries may increase. On the other hand, a generous gesture can help.

I know one thing: such cases tell upon relations between India and Pakistan. In Sarabjit Singh’s case, the government of India has sought clemency from the government of Pakistan. It has not happened since the creation of the two countries. That Indian parliament has given unanimous support to his case should carry more weight than otherwise.

External Affairs Minister of State Anand Sharma has said: “In the Sarabjit Singh case, we have conveyed to Pakistan the strong sentiments of our people and requested for some clemency and reprieve to him. We hope that considering the humanitarian aspects some leniency will be shown to him.” I am glad that Sharma has said that those prisoners who have completed their sentences in both countries should be released without delay. This is something overdue.

It is hard on those who have been building up relations between India and Pakistan through people-to-people contact. One case like that of Sarabjit Singh washes away what has been collected bit by bit, day after day. It helps the process if the governments on both sides vow not to make prisoners as an instrument of their mechanisations.

The new government, which has come in the wake of elections in Pakistan, is representative enough to make a departure from the past, an era of hatred and revenge. The list of people killed by both sides, knowing or purposely, is a long one. Somewhere, some time it must stop. Let it be with the commutation of Sarajbit Singh’s death sentence.