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The Rediff Interview/ Vazhappadi Ramamurthy

'Rajiv's killers don't deserve any mercy'

Till recently the Taamizha Rajiv Congress did not have a proper office. Party chief Vazhappadi Ramamurthy used to operate from his home. But things changed after the party decided to allign with the Bharatiya Janata Party and became a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance.

Ramamurthy was in the news recently for his strident views on the death sentence awarded to the killers of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. His views on the matter have brought him in conflict with his long-time friend Dr S Ramdoss, the Pattali Makkal Katchi leader, who has supported the clemency plea of the four accused.

In this exclusive interview, the TRC leader tells Shobha Warrier why no mercy should be shown to Rajiv's killers.

What are your views on capital punishment?

Capital punishment in general?

Yes.

See, the world over people are discussing the pros and cons of death penalty. I don't think any country, including the United States, has abolished capital punishment. But people are discussing. Let there be a discussion in India too and let Parliament take a decision.

Many people, including PMK leader Dr Ramdoss say there should be a national debate on the issue.

Let there be a debate. There is no substitute for debate in a democracy. But before we take a decision, let us take a careful look at the rising crime graph. In these circumstances if you remove the fear of death penalty, chances are that people may be willing to kill for a few hundred rupees.

So, you support capital punishment?

It is difficult to control crime unless such punishments are there.

What about life imprisonment?

What is life imprisonment? A jail term of 14 years and then the accused is free.

More than two million petitions have been sent to the President seeking clemency for Rajiv's killers.

Let me ask you one thing. Why didn't these people file clemency petitions for Auto Sankar. The truth is that some people have been bought over by the LTTE. These people are working for money.

You feel all the four (accused) should be hanged?

They don't deserve any mercy. The highest court in the country has ruled...they must be hanged.

One of your close friends Dr Ramdoss has said...

I have a lot of friends. But policies do not change for friends.

He has requested the President to commute the death penalty to a life term on humanitarian grounds.

I have already told you my views on life imprisonment.

Many people say we should not punish Nalini's child. She is going to lose both her mother and father.

See, we are not hanging the child. She is studying in a very good convent in London. Why is everybody worried about the girl? We are not punishing the child. Let me ask you another question. Would these people have thought of the girl before swallowing cyanide?

I am sorry to say but they don't deserve any sympathy as they killed a young man who was to become the prime minister of the country. There is no room for any sympathy for these murderers.

Is it because your party is named after Rajiv Gandhi that you are so firm?

Even if my party was named after Godse, I would have said the same thing. They don't deserve any sympathy. They have introduced this human bomb culture in our country. They have assassinated a former prime minister. When they are ready to take law into their hands, we also have to be firm. We have already wasted nine years and it is only now that the Supreme Court has given a judgement.

What will there be the repercussions if they are hanged?

Nothing. Not even a dog will wag its tail.

Why do you think the PMK is openly canvassing against the hangings?

These are misguided elements. They had taken a stand earlier and now they find that they cannot go back.

It was reported that the PMK had requested Sonia Gandhi to intervene and stop the hangings.

What right have they got to ask a widow to pardon her husband's killers? It is immoral, uncivilised, and indecent.

Have your relations with Dr Ramdoss come under considerable strain now?

No. As far as Rajiv Gandhi's is concerned, I have always differed from others.

What about your relations with the BJP?

On this issue the BJP and I have the same opinion.

But you differ with the BJP as far as the Bofors charge-sheet is concerned. Rajiv Gandhi's name is there in the Bofors charge-sheet and the BJP has ignored demands to delete it.

Yes, we have a problem there. I am against putting Rajiv Gandhi's name in the charge-sheet. Even Joginder Singh, who investigated the case, said there was no evidence that Rajiv Gandhi was involved in the deal. There is no evidence on record to say that Rajiv Gandhi received money. Why have they not included Sunderji's name?

But it is the CBI which has put Rajiv's name there.

We suspect somebody's hand in it.

The BJP says the government has no hand in it.

You hear different views from the BJP. The prime minister says in Parliament that the government has nothing to do with the investigating agency. But in his reply to the Presidential motion of thanks, Advaniji said he will look into the matter.

The government does not seem to be inclined to remove Rajiv Gandhi's name from the charge-sheet. Are you willing to break away from the NDA on this issue?

No. We will follow legal procedures.

Do you see the TMC and the AIADMK joining hands in the 2001 assembly election?

I am sorry to say that you press people are giving too much importance to the TMC. It is a party which lost deposits in 90% of the seats in the 1999 election. I do not know in what way this party is going to help other parties.

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