Forgiving the convicted Pakistani terrorist, the American survivors of 26/11 terror attack on Thursday said death penalty is not a solution for Ajmal Kasab, instead he could be rehabilitated.
"Why did Kasab survive? Should we just be hateful, vengeful and killing? What will that accomplish," asked Charles Cannon, one of the American survivors trapped inside the Oberoi Hotel with a group of 25 others.
Kasab could be rehabilitated and "awakened" to see what his choice has created, said Cannon adding, "may be, he could change his way and be a voice for the youth of the world from where he came to tell them not to emulate him."
Cannon, along with his group 24 companions, had come to Mumbai in November 2008 to attend a spiritual programme. On the fateful night, the group of the United States, Australian and Canada citizens was staying in the Oberoi Hotel, when terrorists struck. Two of them were killed.
"I do not favour death penalty because, I it does not accomplish anything but breeds more hatred and violence. I am always in favour of education which can bring transformation," said Cannon, who found 'One Life Alliance Mumbai Survivors', a charitable trust.
Survivors of the same group were in Mumbai to pay tributes to the martyrs and those killed in the attacks.Sixty-six-year-old Peggi Sturm also echoed similar views. "We should see if Kasab could be rehabilitated," she said.
The charitable trust co-founder Kia Scherr, who lost her 13-year-old daughter and her 58-year-old husband, said forgiveness makes a person very strong. "The terrorists do not know what they have done. And it was not very easy for me to forget that I had lost my daughter and husband. But I want to spread the message of forgiveness," she said.
