Kasab acts like Pakistan's ambassador

By: Subhadeep Bhattacharjee

The 26/11 case took a complete new turn with the main accused Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab making a full confessional statement about his role in the 26/11 terror attack. Kasab who for spokes four and a half hours gave minute details of how the attack was planned and executed. He said that the attack was planned by dozens of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives in Pakistan. He also accepted the charges of going on a rampage at CST station and Cama Hospital with his partner Abu Ismail.

Kasam's admission of the crime not only stunned the prosecution and the judge but his own lawyer Abbas Kazmi who said he had no clue about this. When the judge asked him about his sudden change of mind Kasab replied “Pehle Pakistan ne yeh nahi mana tha ki main unka hoon. Aaj maan liya hai. Isiliye main bayan de raha hoon. (Initially, Pakistan had not accepted my nationality. Now that they have, I’m confessing).

This statement of Kasab will make any ambassador to a foreign country proud. Ambassadors generally do not have their own opinion on issues and stick to the line of opinion the political leadership in their country shapes. All this while Kasab was making a mockery of the trial by smiling while the witnesses recognised him in the court. He would demand toothpastes and perfume during the intense moments of the trail causing anguish to people present at the proceedings.

Pakistan on its part has arrested and filed charge sheet against some of the accused in the 26/11 case. This has been a smart diplomatic move by Pakistan as the Indian government cannot accuse it of not acting against the perpetrators of terror. At the same time Pakistan gets the sympathy of the international community. Over the last few years Pakistan has tried to portray itself as a victim of terror to escape being declared a terrorist state.

Now the big question arise is how long will Kasab's trail last after his own confession. But thanks to the laid back prosecution the case has been adjourned as the prosecution sought time to file its reply on his confession. The family members of the victims of 26/11 attack will hope that justice is delivered soon and the harshest of punishment given to Kasab. If the judicial system in our country cannot do so its a slap on their face.