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Mulayam's defence of Saddam upsets Shias
Much to the dismay of the Shias, the CM opposes the death sentence awarded to the deposed Iraqi dictator, reports Masoodul Hasan.
Much to the consternation of the well-entrenched Shia community in the state, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday opposed the death sentence awarded to deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
While Yadav told newsmen in Lucknow on Monday that grave "injustice" had been done with Saddam Hussein, prominent Shia leaders Dr Kalbe Sadiq, Maulana Kalbe Jawad and All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) chairman Maulana Mirza Mohammad Athar said those opposing death punishment did not know ground realities in Iraq and cruelties done by Saddam Hussein on Iraqis.
Taking cue from CPM leader Prakash Karat the chief minister said that death sentence to Saddam was a major challenge to judiciary in the world. Asserting that capital punishment should not be given to Saddam, the chief minister said the US conspired to attack Iraq on the pretext of manufacturing of biological weapons during Saddam's regime, which the US army failed to prove. He said the Congress-led UPA government should strongly oppose the death sentence to Saddam. He said Saddam Hussein had helped India during petroleum crisis. He said UPA government should consult all parties before taking strong stand on the issue. He also assailed the US for destroying Iraq.
However Dr Sadiq, who is close to the chief minister, said those opposing the death sentence should know the atrocities of Saddam Hussein on Iraqis. He said Saddam did not spare any sect to perpetuate his tyrannical regime. Dr Sadiq said just one death sentence was not enough for such a person. Dr Sadiq said Saddam should be hanged "one lakh" times. Dr Sadiq said it was strange that people had come to rescue Saddam Hussein. Maulana Kalbe Jawad said Saddam had inflicted untold miseries on Iraqis and he deserved death sentence.
Maulana Athar said the issue should not be turned into Shia and Sunni but be taken with a humanitarian perspective. He said those arguing in favour of Saddam Hussein had in fact been shielding a tyrant.
Athar said the chief minister was always "guided" by sentiments of a particular sect in Islam.
However, Naib Imam Eidgah Maulana Khalid Rashid condemned the death penalty to Saddam. He said the verdict indicated "US terrorism".
