Jammu, Feb 9: While the hanging of Parliament attack convict Muhammad Afzal Guru has been welcomed by the state units of Congress and Bhartiya Janta Party, the ruling National Conference described the union government’s move as unfortunate in view of the sensitivities associated with J&K.
National Conference, while condemning the Parliament attack, questioned the timing of the hanging, emphasizing that the move was an attempt to destabilize the state government as well as vitiating the peaceful atmosphere in the state.
Additional general secretary NC, Mustafa Kamaal, while talking to Greater Kashmir said, “We condemn the Parliament attack in strong terms but the decision to hang Guru should have been taken keeping in view the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.” He added that there is a need to address the root cause of the issue.
He said that NC had publicly demanded that Guru’s mercy petition should be considered and he should be awarded life imprisonment as in that case he would have died each day. He also said that there is no place for killings and violence in Islam.
Welcoming the hanging, Congress said that the law of land has prevailed and justice has been done, maintaining that the attack on Parliament was an attack on the sovereignty and democracy of India.
Member Legislative Council and Congress spokesman Ravinder Sharma said, “Law has taken its course and justice has been done”. He also said that it was a fair trial and Guru was given every chance to defend himself.
Bhartiya Janta Party on the other hand accused the UPA Government of delaying the decision but claimed that finally the step was in the right direction. State BJP chief spokesperson Dr. Jitendra Singh said, “In case of Afzal Guru, a dangerous signal had gone that the punishment to him was being delayed because of his Kashmir connection which had led to disillusionment among nationalist sections as well as among the country’s armed forces”.
“Government of India needs to evolve a firm uniform policy to deal with perpetrators of militancy without falling prey to political considerations”, he added.
BJP state president and MLA, Jugal Kishore Sharma said that BJP has always taken up the fight against anti-national forces and shall continue to do so. He added that UPA government has taken the action only because of pressure from BJP.
He also cautioned the mainstream regional political parties, National Conference in particular, to refrain from making statements in support of Afzal Guru as “their utterances will cause provocations and lead to communal tension, unrest and law and order problem in the state”.
All India J&K Shiromani Akali Dal has expressed its dissatisfaction over the hanging saying that Guru should have been given life imprisonment as against capital punishment. Its president Dr Jitender Singh Shan said, “Until and unless the root cause of militancy is not addressed such incidents will keep happening”. He also said that Sikh community understands the sentiments of Kashmiris.
The ousted member of Bhartiya Janta Party, considered to be the founder of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Front, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta said it was strange that it took 12 years to meet the ends of justice.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 10 Feb 2013 00:00:00 IST