Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that book Ankhon Dekhi Phansi will be much talked about. The book talks about various subjects. Chouhan was addressing release function of veteran journalist Girija Shankar’s book Ankhon Dekhi Phansi at Hotel Jahan Numa Palace on Saturday.
The Chief Minister said that society should benefit from views expressed by the author. This book is an effective tool for this. He said that Ankhon Dekhi Phansi is a useful book. It is unique narration of two prisoners on death-row and their surroundings. He said that subject of book can be used for debate for and against capital punishment. He hoped that Girija Shankar will continue writing with the same verve.
Journalist Shravan Garg said that the book shows writing prowess of the writer. It would be thought-provoking to read what were feelings of the author about hanging 37 years ago and whether hanging should be abolished or not. The book also provokes thoughts about condition of prisoners, under-trial prisoners, increasing number of prisoners in jails, etc.
Author Girija Shankar said that penning of the book was delayed due to his routine preoccupations. He said that he was only 25 when he had reported the incident in newspaper. He had done so with the spirit of doing something new. It was after publication of this report that people came to know about various rules, laws and formalities pertaining to execution. Former CM Kailash Joshi, State BJP President Nandkumar Singh Chouhan, Arvind Menon and a number of journalists were present on the occasion.