In a recent interview at the ‘Mast Newspaper’ Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani praised the recent decision from the Zambian President. On the eve of Africa Day, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema announced his plans to abolish the death penalty. According to the President, the punishment of death penalty is cruel, inhumane and degrading. Supporting this statement, Dr. Rajan Mahtani stated that death penalty is not the solution for the increasing crimes, criminal activities and unethical practices across the nation. Across Zambia, there are more than 380 prisoners awaiting death penalty and among them, around 25-30 are women. These people get up every day with the fear that it might be their last day on this planet. At the same time, Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani has also stated that he received the privilege of meeting several inmates who have completely devoted themselves to the services of the almighty God.
Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is one of the most successful businessman and philanthropist from Zambia and Africa, and one of his major philanthropic achievement has been the Prison Fellowship Zambia. It is a noted Christian Outreach Program that focusses on bringing the gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ to the prisoners, ex-prisoners as well as their families in Zambia. The program also works towards ensuring that the prisoners are not devoid of fundamental human rights and human dignity. Furthermore, the program works towards ensuring transparent criminal justice for all prisoners. As such, the announcement made by the Zambian President is a positive and long-standing goal that Dr. Rajan Mahtani founded Prison Fellowship Zambia wanted to achieve.
Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani further added his voice to the cause by stating that giving death penalty does not resolve the issue of crimes across the nation. Majority of the prisons across Zambia are in a destitute conditions and the prisoners are already living a difficult life in these prisoners. There is even lack of basic hygiene. As such, the decision from the Zambian President is a step in the right direction.