Current Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, made a surprise announcement on the eve of the Africa Day. On this day, President Hichilema announced that he is planning to completely abolish the death penalty sentence. President Hichilema termed this practice as inhumane, cruel, degrading and against fundamental human rights as well as human dignity. Dr. Rajan Mahtani, while supporting this decision, added his voice to this announcement by stating that the practice of death penalty does not solve anything for the Zambian government. There are hundreds of prisoners in Zambia awaiting death penalty and for them, every day is a punishment as they are unaware of their last day on this planet. In a similar manner, the condition of the Zambian prisons is extremely degrading with visits made by past Presidents and Vice-Presidents revealing lack of even basic human dignity and fundamental human rights, making these prisoners living hell. As such, the initiatives made by the Zambian Government including Zambian Correctional Facility and Parole Board Zambia are working towards ensuring tactical decongestion of Zambian prisons by release of prisoners after their complete transformation.
Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani also tried to explain the aspect from a religious point of view. According to Dr. Rajan Mahtani said that there was not reason towards killing those who deaths are already atoned by ‘Son of God’. Dr. Mahtani further stated that even the religious scripture mandates prohibiting the capital punishment. Dr. Rajan Mahtani quoted the ‘Book of Genesis’ by stating that men are made in the God’s image. Even the woman who was accused of adultery was not condemned by Jesus Christ . Similarly, the religious viewpoint states that those performing the execution must be devoid of any sin. The sacrifice made by Jesus Christ replaced sacrificing of the animals. Also, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ made it illogical to give capital punishment as crucifixion of Jesus Christ itself established the core human values. As such. Dr. Rajan Mahtani stated that he will support this decision from the Zambian President in any way possible.