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| Immorals protest death sentence to a killer | | Admnistration remains silent spectator | |
SRINAGAR | OCT 2
A section of people comprising of secessionists and those allegedly keeping secret ties with militants in Kashmir valley continued to register protests against the death penalty verdict for Mohammad Afzal Guru, the convict for Indian Parliament attack of December 2001, for the sixth straight day.
However, admnistration continues to remain silent spectator to the entire incident as it has made no arrest so far in this regard. This notwithstanding the nature of protest being illegal and in support of an accused against whom the charges of involvement in Parliament attack have been proved.
Condemning the hanging verdict amid pro-Guru slogans, veiled activists of Women's outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat (daughters of faith) led by Syeda Asiya Andrabi took out a peaceful protest march in the heart of Srinagar today.
"Indian democracy and judiciary are farce. We are all with Afzal Guru," alleged Andrabi.
Protest marches aside, pro-Pakistan Muslim League organized a well-attended seminar 'Mohammad Afzal Guru-Hero of Our Resistance Movement' in a local hotel where law experts, human rights activists, intellectuals and political leaders presented their respective view points with regard to the hanging of Guru.
In his typical style chairman of his faction of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Syed Ali Shah Geelani hit hard at pro-India politicians and leaders of moderate faction of APHC for what he called emotional exploitation of common masses.
"Political hypocrites who are responsible for Indian occupation in Kashmir too are raising their voices in support of Afzal Guru. Whether he (Guru) is hanged or not, we as Muslims have to remain happy and be content in both the cases," Mr Geelani said.
He criticized India's secularism and went on to call it as "the biggest fraud of 20 th century". "I've said this even in the Legislative Assembly," he said.
Saluting the "courage, will and dedication" of Guru, Geelani said, "he could have asked for clemency but he didn't", adding, "If his wife or parents seek clemency from Indian President is entirely a different matter".
Geelani reiterated his stand that "the right to self-determination according to United Nations Resolutions is the only solution to Kashmir dispute and all other formulas and roadmaps are an attempt to sideline the Kashmir issue". "The ongoing so-called peace process is bogus. Opening of roads, soft borders, self-rule and other formulas are absolutely nothing except diverting attention of Kashmiris from the freedom struggle."
President of Kashmir Bar Association Mian Abdul Qayoom in his speech argued that Afzal Guru was "not given a fair trial". "Since the very beginning of the Indian Parliament attack case Mohammad Afzal Guru was not heard and there is absence of fair trial all the way," Mr Qayoom said.
Chief of Muslim League Masarat Alam who presented the vote of thanks overtly launched a scathing attack on Hurriyat leaders like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Professor Abdul Gani Bhat and Bilal Gani Lone for what he termed a "sell out".
"We will not allow anybody to repeat the blunder committed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. Living in cozy rooms of huge bungalows these so called moderates are speaking the language of India but Guru's courage is a slap on their flexible and moderate faces," Mr Alam said.
"I am not protesting for the release of Afzal Guru.," he said, adding, "What an honor for him to get hanged after 'Fajr' prayers following holy 'Shab-e-Qadr' and last Friday of Ramadan".
He blamed India for perpetrating crimes against humanity in Kashmir.
A human rights lawyer and President of Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society–the organization which only yesterday launched a signature campaign 'Save Afzal Guru'- Pervez Imroz also spoke on the occasion. |
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