A Necrology For APJ Abdul Kalam
By Abdul Majid Zargar
29 July, 2015
Countercurrents.org
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born in 1931 in a tiny Southern city of Rameshwarn. Hailing from a humble background, he worked his way hard to become a scientist . In 2002 he was made President of India. He died on July 27, 2015 in Shillong following a massive heart attack. He was recipient of highest civilian award Bharat Ratna.
Most of the commentators have adhered to the accepted societal ritual of speak- good -of-deceased in respect of former president APJ Abdul Kalam. But one will be doing injustice to history, if the failures & shortcomings of a deceased person, especially when he held a high public position, are not brought to fore. Two such failures stand out in case of APJ Abdul Kalam.
Number one-As supreme commander of Indian forces, he never took notice of the gross human rights violations, his forces were committing in Kashmir during his tenure. Admist hundreds & thousands of such incidents, take for instance Pathribal event in which five innocent people were virtually dragged from their beds by Indian army & killed in most inhuman & barbaric manner. CBI proved this case as a cold blood murder of innocent persons beyond any doubt. All connected developments in this case happened during his tenure. But he showed no inclination or guts to order appropriate punishment to the guilty.
Number two-His failure to do justice to Afzal Guroo. By all available indications he knew that there were serious shortcomings & flaws in his trial and didn't deserve the punishment awarded to him. All published material, pointing towards his non-involvement & innocence in the matter was available before him.But he didn't decide his mercy petition favorably. Well some may say that he couldn't have done much in the matter in absence of advice from his council of Ministers. But at-least what he could have done was to order a fresh trial in his case using extra-ordinary constitutional powers vested in him. Well Kalam has started the ultimate journey in which we all will be his followers- On the day of Judgment We, as aggrieved people will catch hold of him to seek his answers. TILL THEN REST IN PEACE.
(For your comments E mail: abdulmajidzargar@gmail.com)
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