I don’t know how one should describe Kashmiri youths’ reaction to Afzal Guru’s execution at Tihar Jail in Delhi: Anger, frustration and alienation. Guru’s hanging may have brought a short-term relief for the Congress-led central government in India, but its impact in the long run will prove Afzal’s executioners wrong. If for a moment we keep the humanitarian issue aside, the Indian government and judiciary have not done a job that could in any way elevate their status among comity of nations.
Apparently he was sentenced to death to meet the general public’s expectations, not to meet the criterion that is laid down in books of law. How come Guru couldn’t get a good lawyer to plead his case and it was left to be handled by a junior lawyer who was more loyal to his government. Unannounced hanging, no last meeting with family members and denying handover of the body are things, which are not expected in democratic countries. The Congress-led government might have scored a brownie point against the BJP’s attacks but forceful clampdown, indefinite curfew and suspension of cable TV, Internet and mobile services in Indian-administered Kashmir tell some other story.
Since Pakistan turned its back on Kashmiri militants early last decade, armed militancy was on back track, however, Guru’s execution may revive the militant forces. Everyone is talking about Maqbool Butt’s execution in 1984 which became a starting point for armed insurgency in 1989. Who knows what Guru’s hanging will bring in future? One thing is sure — Guru’s hanging is a bad blow to those Indians, Kashmirs and Pakistanis who have been advocating for a peaceful solution of Kashmir conflict. — Masood Khan, Jubail
