Both Houses express shock over death

Parliament on Thursday expressed shock and sorrow over the death of Sarabjit Singh at Jinnah Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan.

 Both Houses adopted resolutions condemning the “inhuman treatment” meted out to him at the Kot Lakhpat jail, where he was brutally assaulted last week.

“This House expresses its deep sense of shock and sorrow on the sad demise of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian citizen in Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, today after he was brutally assaulted by his fellow inmates in a Pakistan jail,” said the resolution moved in the Lok Sabha by Speaker Meira Kumar.

“This House condemns the inhuman treatment meted out to Sarabjit Singh in the Pakistan jail and hopes that the culprits will be brought to book,” the resolution further said.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari said: “The House deeply mourns the demise of Sarabjit Singh and I am sure the House would join me in conveying our condolences to the bereaved family.”

In both Houses, Opposition members shouted anti-Pakistan slogans.  Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley condemned the manner in which Sarabjit was killed and said, “today is a day of sadness, regret and anguish.”

The BJP leader questioned as to which way India’s foreign policy was headed. “It is a sample of how our tottering government has turned coward,” he added. BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad described Sarabjit’s death as a “cruel murder” and accused the government of being indifferent to his condition while in jail.

“He was in Pakistani jail and the responsibility was of the Pakistan government to ensure his safety and security. But, I am pained at the indifference of the Indian government,” Prasad said. Akali Dal leader Naresh Gujral said the Pakistani authorities should be held directly responsible for the violation of human rights.

“It is a contravention of international treaties and the government should have put more pressure on international human rights organisations,” he said. Gujral hoped that a credible investigation into the assault on Sarabjit would be carried out by people who enjoy international credibility.