We should not, directly or indirectly, criticize our jawans, says EAM Jaishankar
Image credit: Deccan Herald
S. Jaishankar stated that the Indian Army didn’t deserve the term “pitaai” and clarified the revised death penalty provision in the Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019, which was approved by the Lok Sabha.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said, “We should not, directly or indirectly, criticise our soldiers.” They were standing their ground at Yangtse and did not deserve the word “pitaai” (beaten). He was responding to remarks made by Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress.
The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019, was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday. The EAM clarified that the death penalty clause, which the opposition MPs had pushed for a review of, had been changed to punishment with death or with imprisonment for life.
“Our forces are guarding our borders from a position at 13,000 feet in Yangtse.” The word “pitaai” should not be used to describe them. Our jawans shouldn’t be referred to in that way. Our soldiers are defending themselves. They ought to be honoured, respected, and valued, Dr. Jaishankar remarked in the Lok Sabha.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) will become domestic law as a result of the Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill enacted by the Lok Sabha, allowing Indian authorities to combat piracy on the high seas.
Manish Tewari, a Congress member, stated that the government should carefully analyse the ramifications of the death sentence because this could impede extradition from nations that do not enforce the death penalty and where piracy may not even have resulted in death.
The Supreme Court has stated that the death penalty should only be applied in the “rarest of rare” cases. Dr. Jaishankar stated during a discussion of the bill in the House before it was passed that this had now been amended to punish with death or with imprisonment for life if such a person was committing an act of piracy that was causing death or an attempt thereat. He added that this was in accordance with the extradition laws of many nations.
On December 9, 2019, the Lok Sabha received the bill, which was then referred to the Standing Committee on External Affairs, which delivered its report on February 11, 2021. Dr. Jaishankar stated earlier, when introducing the bill for consideration, that 14 of the Standing Committee’s 18 recommendations had been adopted.
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