Sir — The assault on Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah by jail inmates in Jammu’s Kot Balwal Jail, ostensibly in retaliation to Sarabjit Singh’s killing, is proof of the fact that hatred breeds hatred. This attack definitely would have been avoidable had Pakistan shown the grace to release Sarabjit Singh immediately after he faced the murderous attack. Islamabad should have kept in mind that Pakistani prisoners in India too may invite ire if Sarabjit Singh is not treated properly.
But what is galling is its demand that India repatriate Sanaullah soon after he was attacked. Islamabad would do well to remember that not so long ago, New Delhi too had made a similar plea, even urging that Sarabjit be taken to some third country for treatment. But those pleas fell on deaf ears. Even if India accedes to Pakistan’s demand on humanitarian grounds, one can be sure that this kind gesture would only be reciprocated with more venom and provocation from the other side.