The firebrand BJP leader Usha Thakur has demanded that a case of treason be registered against those who are supporting Yakub Memon. In an informal chat with media persons here, the BJP MlA from Indore-4 assembly constituency said that personally she felt that those who are supporting the wrongs of Yakub Menon must be booked for treason in similar sections as were applied in the case of Yakub.
She said a nation is run by its Constitution which is in fact is the soul of country and making any remarks on the verdict given on the basis of Constitution or for that matter offering any suggestions on the verdict is tantamount to dishonouring the Constitution, she said adding that those who have supported Yakub must not misuse their popularity.
Making any remark on the Supreme Court verdict is a gross misconduct and amounts to treason, Usha said appealing both the print and electronic media to desist from giving any space or coverage in their newspapers or channels to such people who have voiced support for Yakub.
The BJP leader’s controversial statement has come after a mercy petition submitting by 40 intellectuals of the country including senior Congress leaders Digvijay Singh, Shashi Tharoor, Bollywood actors Amir Khan, Shaif Ali Khan, senior advocate Prashant Bhusan among others to the President of India seeking mercy for Yakub Menon who was hanged in Nagpur jail on Thursday.
Usha said Yakub was a murderer of hundreds of innocent people. In the Mumbai blasts there were many who lost their near and dear, if some lost their husbands, some others lost their fathers, sons, sisters and daughters virtually for no fault. Did not they had right to living, the BJP leader parried question, saying that those who are supporting Yakub after the Supreme Court’s verdict must bring home the fact that no one is above the Constitution whether they are elected representatives, film actors or for that matter intellectuals.