The Hindi Press Mostly Supported the Yakub Memon Hanging

Yakub Memon’s execution divided the nation, but the Hindi newspapers, by and large supported the decision.

Mainstream Hindi newspapers. (Photo: Screenshot)

Yakub Memon’s hanging was denounced by most sections of the English press, but how did the Hindi press cover the issue?

A quick scan of the top Hindi newspapers reveals that, with exceptions, the leading newspapers supported the order to hang Memon. A few editorials also expressed concerns over the communalisation of the debate.

Dainik Jagran, a leading Hindi daily stated that the fight to save Yakub Memon’s life sent out the wrong message, while Amar Ujala and Dainik Hindustan felt that the politics around Memon’s execution were a threat to the social fabric of the country. Another daily, Jansatta stated, “the execution isn’t about the state’s thirst for blood, and nor can it be termed as justice.”

Here’s a sampling of editorials published.

Victims of the 1993 blasts have waited for decades for the judicial process to end. Now that the process is complete, the kind of politics that is being played out over the punishment handed to a convict is shameful. Some people feel Yakub Memon’s execution will send out the wrong message, but it’s actually the controversy over his death sentence that may send out the wrong message.
- Dainik Jagran Editorial, 31 July

The court verdict against Yakub Memon has brought the debate over capital punishment back to the table. While we debate the morality of capital punishment, we must remember that it is only because of the transparency in our judicial process and liberal outlook that we are even able to do so. Even those who believe hanging Yakub Memon was the wrong decision can’t say he wasn’t given ample opportunity to put his case forward.
- Amar Ujala Editorial, 30 July

The debate over Yakub Memon’s execution has the potential to harm the social fabric of the country. Hindus and Muslims shouldn’t let communal elements exploit this situation to create unrest. Also, in a healthy democracy, celebrating someone’s death is not the right thing to do, even if the person who died was a terrorist.
- Dainik Hindustan Editorial, 31 July

The punishment meted out to Yakub Memon can’t be termed as the ‘state’s thirst for blood’ nor can it be called justice for the 1993 blasts victims.
- Arun Kumar Tripathi in Jansatta, 31 July

Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon was a criminal until he was handed a death warrant, but when the order to execute him was passed, he became a Muslim. Hyderabad MP Asaddudin Owaisi said Yakub Memon is being executed because he is a Muslim. This is selective secularism. Out of all the convicts executed in India till now, only five percent have been Muslims.

- Anant Vijay wrote in Navbharat Times, 28 July