When the family of Afzal Guru received the news of resolution passed by the Pakistan parliament, they immediately went into a huddle and issued an appeal to Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to follow the suit in a bid to "mount pressure" on New Delhi to handover the body of the parliament attack convict.
“It (resolution) is a welcome step. Not only Pakistan but OIC too should pass the similar resolution. Even we can go to the extent saying UN too should chip in and follow the suit”, Yasin Guru, cousin of Afzal Guru, told DNA.
Yasin said the family is grateful to everyone who champions their cause of return of Afzal’s remains to them. “Any step taken by any person in this world for our cause is worth appreciating. We want entire world to debate this issue and it should not remain confined to Pakistan alone”, he said.
Aijaz Guru, elder brother of Afzal, said the resolution by Pakistan will definitely help in their struggle to get back the body of their kin from Tihar jail. “We feel this resolution will help because now a sovereign country is asking for the body of Afzal”, he said.
However the resolution had further divided the polity in the restive Jammu and Kashmir. While separatists hailed the move, the BJP and Panthers Party lodged a strong protest in the assembly and later staged a walkout from the House.
“We thank Pakistan for this resolution. They are the only well-wishers of Kashmiris who have been extending moral, diplomatic and political support to our struggle. We hope the will continue their effort to build pressure on New Delhi for the return of Afzal Guru’s remains”, said a spokesman of moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani too hailed Pakistan for the resolution saying they should not take more such steps in future so that world is apprised of the grim situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The issue also rocked the Legislative Assembly with BJP and National Panthers Party protesting against the move. MLAs from both parties later staged a walkout in protest against the resolution.
“Pakistan’s interference in our internal matters is unacceptable to us. Their resolution has once again proved that they were party to the attack on the Parliament of India”, said Ashok Khajuria of BJP.
