Opposing the decision of the Tamil Nadu government to release the life convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Puducherry Congress on Thursday demanded reversal of the decision taken at the Cabinet meeting in this regard.
Addressing a joint press conference, PCC president A V Subramanian, leader of Opposition V Vaithilingam and Congress lawyers wing leader A Gandhiraj said Supreme Court has commuted their death sentence citing delay in deciding their mercy pleas but has not termed them innocent. They should serve their full sentence. Releasing them would be contrary to justice, they said.
“If they are pardoned and set free, it will set a bad precedent for the country. Just because they are Tamilians pardoning them would hurt the feelings of the families of the 18 persons including the policemen and officials as well as public who died along with Rajiv Gandhi. If the convicted persons have been pardoned as they were Tamilians, then all Tamilians involved in murders including those who set fire to the bus leading to the death of college students should also be pardoned and set free.”
They said, the move will embolden criminals across the country.
Meanwhile AIADMK cadre burnt effigies of AICC president Sonia Gandhi and vice- president Rahul Gandhi at a protest near Anna statue on Thursday. Led by State secretary and MLA A Anbazhagan they said they were condemning the disrespect shown to party Supremo J Jayalalithaa by the Congress party. The Youth Congress also protested against the TN government.