In a candid chat with Subhash K. Jha, BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha lashes out at finance minister Arun Jaitley for not checking facts before blaming Sinha for BJP embarrassment over Yakub Memon issue.
Minister Arun Jaitley says you have embarrassed the BJP by signing the mercy petition supporting the non-execution plea for Yakub Memon
Did Mr Jaitley see my signature on the mercy petition? Did he verify if I had actually signed it? If I open my mouth, it would be time for him to be seriously embarrassed.
Are you saying you didn’t sign the petition?
Yes, I am saying exactly that. I didn’t sign the petition. Mr Jaitley could’ve picked up the phone and asked me about it.
But how could Mr Jaitley condemn you without verifying facts? This is serious lapse of protocol
Main kya kahun? Main sharif aadmi hoon. Mujhe vivaad mein kyon phasaya jata hai? (What can I say? I am an honest person. Why do I get embroiled in controversies?) Please show my signature on the mercy petition. But I want to make it very clear that I’m completely opposed to all capital punishment. Jo cheez hum de nahin sakte who le kaise sakte hain? (If we can’t give life then what right do we have to take it?). To oppose capital punishment is neither unconstitutional nor illegal. Even Salman Khan’s tweets about the execution were not illegal. I completely oppose state-sanctioned executions.
But you didn’t sign the petition?
No. My friends in my party should first verify facts before getting embarrassed by my conduct. I think it’s important for us to project a united front to the public. If we try to pull each other down in this way, other political parties would take advantage of the dissent. Parsehaan hone se pehle pareshani toh samjho. (before getting upset, understand the reason behind the problem)
You’ve always called yourself a loyal soldier of the BJP. Why are you being taken for granted so much?
I think I’m going through a period of tribulation. Maybe this is test of my endurance. I’ll emerge stronger. Mahatma Gandhi had said that every revolution has to go through four phases. First, uphaas, where they’ll make fun of the person who tries to bring about a revolution. Second, upeksha where they’ll try to ignore you. Third, tiraskaar where they’ll try to shut you up with abuse. Finally, there is daman where they will attack you directly. If you can survive all these four phases you’ll be given samman.
Which phase are you in?
Right now I’m stuck between daman and samman.
Why are party members attacking you publicly?
And that too those colleagues whom I have supported going out of my way. I am known as the star campaigner for my party, but now I am very hurt. Even when I’ve been genuinely embarrassed by my colleagues in my party I have never come out publicly like this.
Do you think Yakub Memon deserved to be hanged?
The topic is closed. We should move forward. But in future , any effort to end a life by the government should be condemned and stopped. And please, I beseech my party members to confirm facts before getting embarrassed. Please don’t jump the gun…or should I say do not jump Shotgun?
