“Glorifying terrorists and anti-nationalists is no good. <g data-gr-id="56">Death</g> penalty is an issue which can be debated upon. But surprisingly, some people come out openly as and when <g data-gr-id="51">death</g> penalty is given to a terrorist, anti-nationalist...” he told reporters here.
“Somebody is saying death penalty cannot take place. It may be their view. I am of the view that terrorists, anti-national people, rapists, strongest possible punishment including death sentence, should be given,” he said.
Calling for a nation-wide debate on the topic, he said, “... Yakub Memon was <g data-gr-id="42">hanged</g> after 20 years of trial... Supreme Court <g data-gr-id="43">sat</g> up to 3.45 in the morning. That speaks for the greatness of India’s independence and <g data-gr-id="46">judiciary</g>.”
“Some people are running stories of what he (Memon) had for breakfast on that day.....” he said. Noting that some people were trying to bring religion into the matter, he said, “terrorist is a terrorist. Does he have any religion? An anti-national is an anti-national. Why are you talking about his religion whether he is Hindu, Muslim or Christian?”
He claimed 37 persons had been hanged in the recent past including Afzal Guru, Ajmal Kasab and Yakub Memon.
“We were all in Rameswaram for the funeral of the great man, the great son of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. But some of the (TV) channels were prominently showing and highlighting Yakub Memon. Are we serving the nation’s interest?<g data-gr-id="45">,</g>” he asked.
About rapists below the age of 18 not being given serious punishment, Naidu said, “Some people do not want people below 18 years to be given serious punishment. But when they (rapists) know how to rape, torture a woman, I do not have any sympathy for him (rapist) even if he is below 18 years. So the debate goes on in these issues.”
Cong blocking development: Javadekar
Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest Prakash Javadekar in Sunday alleged that the Congress is not allowing Parliament to function because it does not want the GST Bill to be passed during this session. Javadekar alleged during a press conference that the Congress is trying hard to block the nation’s development by creating a logjam situation in Parliament. “One of the main reason why the Congress does not allow Parliament to function because its leaders have decided to stall development,” Javadekar alleged.