The Just Assassins (original French title: Les Justes, more literal translations would be The Just or The Righteous) is a 1949 play by French writer and philosopher Albert Camus. The Hindi adaptation "Jaayaz Hatyaare" is done by Suresh Bhardwaj and Deepa Sahi.

The play is based on the true story of a group of Russian Socialist-Revolutionaries who assassinated the Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich in 1905, and explores the moral issues associated with murder and terrorism. In the play, all but one (Stepan/सुखेन् ) of the "Justes" are based upon historical terrorists, described in Memoirs of a Terrorist by Boris Savinkov.

This Play has five parts.

Act I In the apartment used by the terrorists

The 'justes' are a group of revolutionaries plotting to assassinate the Governor with a bomb. The first attempt is meticulously set up, with Vimmi selected to throw the bomb.

Act II as before

After a period of uncertainty as to the outcome of the first attempt, Vimmi returns, saying he could not throw the bomb at the carriage, as it contained the Governor's nephew and niece. Sukhen is disgusted by this, pointing out that thousands of Indian children have died as a result of British oppression, but the others take Vimmi's side, as killing children would harm their cause.

Act III as before

Vimmi prepares for the second attempt and tries again, two days after the first try. He successfully kills the Governor. Vivaan leaves the group to join the Party's committee division.

Act IV in a prison

Vimmi is in prison. He has a brief discussion with Fazal before COP enters. COP discusses Vimmi's actions with him before the Governor's wife enters. She shows Vimmi the human side of his crime (the actual death of the Governor) and asks him to agree to being a murderer, not a revolutionary, in exchange for his life. Vimmi is moved by her talk of her husband but stays firm. He says, "Let me prepare myself to die. If I did not die-- it's then I'd be a murderer." COP re-enters and makes Vimmi an offer: either Vimmi confesses and reveals the whereabouts of his fellows, or COP will publish an article saying he repented his acts to the Governor's wife, thereby making his fellows believe he betrayed them and their cause.

Act V At the apartment

It is the night of Vimmi's execution. Omkar, Devika and Sukhen await news of him. Vivaan returns for the same reason. Some suggest that Vimmi may have betrayed them to save his own life, but Devika knows this is not true. This is confirmed shortly afterwards by news of Vimmi's death. Devika, normally the most gentle of the group, takes on a Sukhen-like attitude. She vows to throw herself into terrorism and either to destroy tyranny single-handed to avenge Vimmi, or be caught, executed and thereby united with him.

Directed By Yogesh Kumar

Pratyancha Theatre Group, Delhi