The morning of 9th Feb. 2013 began with the news of   Afzal Guru’s hanging, who was convicted of his involvement in parliament attack 2001. Indian political parties (Congress, BJP and CPM) celebrated the victory of “rule of law”. But it was heart-rending news for the people of Kashmir.  As there is a dominant perception in Kashmir that Guru was not directly involved in parliament attack and he was convicted on the basis of fabricated evidences.  All of sudden curfew was imposed in all major towns of Kashmir valley. This is a part of strategy to curb the anger of Kashmiris. The policy of suppression and appeasement has been in vogue since 1947 in Kashmir. The result is that Kashmiri’s suffered the worst because of its checkered history since 1947. Kashmiris expressed their anger and hatred through various channels. New Delhi has always suppressed dissent voices in Kashmir by force, which resulted into further alienation of Kashmiris. On one hand India claims to be world’s largest democracy and on other has perpetuated dictatorship of worst kind in Kashmir. Kashmir witnessed political rising in 2008, 2009 and 2010. But every time government used its force rather than ascertaining the will of people. In response to 2010 rising New Delhi appointed interlocutors to submit their recommendation for redressing the grievances of the people of state in the interest of peace and prosperity. But the recent decision of hanging Afzal Guru is contrary to the government efforts of maintaining peace in the state.
As Dilip Padgonkar in his interview with NDTV on one hand expressed his respect for Supreme Court verdict but on the other hand said such decision will further alienate the people of Kashmir from India. New Delhi knows this fact very well but they believe in their might. Government has always suppressed the political aspiration of the people of Kashmir and has never allowed ascertaining the political aspirations of the people.  For satisfying the collective conscience of nation they hardly bother to send any one to the gallows. Though Guru’s issue was pending for a long and most often UPA government was criticized by the opposition for delaying the execution. UPA was accused of being soft on terrorism. But this time there is perception that Guru became the victim of politics. It was done for 2014 election preparations (SAR Geelani with NDTV) and by doing so Congress has deprived BJP of its most potent weapon of criticism. Congress discourse is that the decision shows ‘zero tolerance’ against terrorism. Whatever be the cause Afzal was hanged for satisfying collective conscience of Indian nation. He was hanged on the basis of circumstantial evidences for satisfying the collective conscience. (As Chief Minister of state said circumstantial evidences cannot be the basis for hanging any one).  But what about those whom you caged inside their houses. What will happen to the people of that region where dominant discourse is Afzal was innocent and was not given fair trial even he was not allowed to have a lawyer and an innocent was hanged for satisfying the collective conscience of nation. You care about the people of your nation but at the same time you annoy and suppress the people whom you claim the citizens of your nation (Kashmir’s) and the chief minister of this state appeared before the press conference helplessly and said “I informed the centre time and again about my apprehension regarding hanging of Guru”.
 But who bothers, they believe in their might and directed chief minister to make preparation for suppressing the anger. The decision of hanging Guru, regardless of looking for sentiments of   Kashmiri people is reflecting nothing but India’s belief in its power and might by dint of which they can calm Kashmiris. Such decision further alienates the people of Kashmir from India. What is “peace” in Indian discourse means to accept ‘injustice done to you’. As you raise your voice against injustice you are booked under PSA. I pray may Kashmir come out of this difficult situation.    
(Showkat Ahmad Pala is Research Scholar University of Kashmir)  

Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 IST