Report on “Stop Death Penalty”
The meeting cum protest organized by the New Socialist Alternative and Tamil Solidarity, focusing on the case of Perarivalan, Murugan and Santhan who have been unjustly handed death penalty, attracted a modest gathering.
Chaired by the renowned radical activist and film-maker, K P Sasi speakers included Dr. Sitaram Karkarala (CSCS), Dr. Vijayamma (Feminist and Journalist), Thirumurugann Gandhi (17th May Movement) and T U Senan (International Co-ordinator – Tamil Solidarity). Thirumurugann Gandhi spoke on the case of Perarivalan who has been unjustly handed death penalty as an accomplice in the still murky details surrounding the infamous Rajiv Gandhi assassination 20 years ago. He highlighted the fact that the Indian government is trying to use this as a warning to others and punishing the three alleged accomplices more due to their political belief rather than their involvement in the assassination itself.