On Monday, April 10 Indian RAW agent Kulbushan was awarded death sentence through FGCM by Pakistan Army for carrying out sabotage activities in Karachi and Balochistan.
A day after this event a huge opposition from the Indian side, including the senior leaders and cabinet ministers in the House of Parliament on Tuesday condemned the action taken by the Pakistani government.
Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said that there is no evidence against Jadhav. He is India’s son and that India will bring him back at any cost. She added that she has been in contact with Kulbhushan Singh Jadhav’s family members and has expressed her solidarity with them.
“We will go out to the way to save Jhadav. This sentence will be considered a premeditated murder,” the minister said.
The spy was awarded death sentence after trial through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under Pakistan Army Act (PAA).
Sushma said in Houses of Parliament, “I would caution Pakistan government to consider the consequences for the bilateral relationship if they proceed on this matter.”
According to the press release by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Indian RAW Agent/Naval officer 41558Z Commander Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel was arrested on March 3, 2016, through a Counter Intelligence Operation from Mashkel, Balochistan, for his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan.
“Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran and taken to Pakistan,” India claims. Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh is also of Sushma’s view.
He condemned the death sentence to Jhadav while quoting that “He had a small business in Chabahar, Iran, doing business with Iranian partner. Pakistani security agencies kidnapped him and presented him to the military tribunal as an Indian agent”.
He further added to ask that “They said Jadhav has an Indian passport. How can he be a spy and carry an Indian passport?”
Anurag Thakur, a member of Lok Sabha representing BJP said that “India stands united on this, our voice is loud & clear- Pakistan is a nation that sponsors Terror; Kills, Kidnaps & Accuses innocents”. He further demanded that Indian Parliament should adopt a resolution condemning Pakistan against this accusation of Kulbhushan.
Shashi Tharoor of the Congress said that “This is a matter that affects us all.” He demanded India to raise the matter at the international level, as Pakistan violated the Geneva Convention by denying consular access to Jadhav.
“There are countries that have financed Pakistan. They should be told that if this thing has happened to an Indian national today, it can happen to their national as well. This is a serious matter. We should take it up as world forum as well,” Tharoor said.
The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said the Indian High Commission, Islamabad was not even informed about Jadhav’s trial in the court. India had also summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and has raised the point that President was not even informed about the state of affairs before death sentence.
As a response, India has put on hold to the release of several Pakistani prisoners, scheduled for Wednesday. Drawing angry reaction Indian nationals have started a campaign to bring Kulbushan safely back to home. The turbulence has increased due to protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi.