Separatists warn against hanging Afzal Guru

Separatists have warned the government of a “strong reaction” if parliament attack convict Afzal Guru is hanged.

The warning comes after the BJP demanded Guru’s mercy petition which is pending before the president be rejected.

“We believe Guru has not got a fair trial. If he is hanged, there will be a strong reaction in Kashmir. This will tantamount to war on the core of Kashmiri nation. No Kashmiri will tolerate this injustice and there is bound to have a reaction on ground,” said Syed Saleem Geelani, spokesman of moderate faction of Hurriyat led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

Saleem noted that Guru’s execution will only complicate the problems in Kashmir. “We have an example of Maqbool Bhat who was hanged in 1984. New Delhi thought they achieved their goal but little realised that it will give birth to thousands of Maqbool Bhats,” he said.

Hurriyat hawks too have jumped into the bandwagon saying the communal forces in India have no respect for Kashmiris or Muslims and their aim is to occupy land and nothing else.

“If communal forces have their way they will kill every Muslim and every Kashmiri. The government had thought by hanging Maqbool Bhat in 1984 they will kill the sentiment for azadi. But it proved a mirage for them. They are mistaken this time too,” said Ayaz

Akbar, spokesperson of Hurriyat led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani. 
Guru along with Showkat Guru, his wife Afshan Guru and Delhi University teacher Abdul Rahman Geelani was charged with planning the attack on the parliament on December 13, 2001. The Supreme Court later upheld the death sentence of Guru but acquitted Rahman Geelani and Afshan. Showkat who was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment was released recently after completing his jai term.

After the apex court verdict, Guru’s wife Tabasum and son Ghalib met former president APJ Abdul Kalam and sought pardon for the parliament attack convict.