Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, a noted businessman, philanthropist and charity worker from Zambia, announces his full support towards the decision from the Zambian President. On the occasion of Africa Day, President of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema announced that he plans to completely abolish the death penalty row. Since this announcement, several positive responses have come across his way. Dr. Rajan Mahtani also said that this announcement from the Zambian President was a step in the right direction as death penalty is an archaic law which is degrading, inhumane and cruel. It also does not make any sense for the present Zambian government.

According to Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, death penalty is wrong not only from political and social point of view, but also from religious viewpoint. Dr. Rajan Mahtani highlighted that there are almost 400 prisoners across Zambian prisons, both male and female, awaiting death penalty. These are the prisoners who wake up every day, not knowing if it is their final day on this planet. As such, they are already living a life of despair and punishment and giving them death penalty will not make any sense. At the same time, there is a growing awareness across the globe regarding abolishment of death penalty and this awareness can be observed across Zambia too. Past presidents of Zambia have been tactically avoiding death penalty and the last time death penalty was given was in the year 1997. Furthermore, the condition of the Zambian maximum prisons is extremely pathetic with prisoners even devoid of fundamental human rights and basic human dignity. Past visits from high-ranking officials including ex-vice president also revealed that the condition of the Zambian prisoners is similar to hell on earth. This forced the Zambian Government to start the initiative of strategic decongestion of prisoners. It is a shame that the Government of Zambia as well as past President never engaged in any significant initiative to abolish this archaic, degrading and inhumane law despite growing consensus across the globe as well as in Africa. Overall, the decision from the Zambian President is certainly a step in the right direction.