Hindustan Times
Afzal Guru – the Guy Fawkes of India
Afzal Guru, the mastermind behind the terrorist attack on Indian Parliament in December, 2001, is again in the news. This time it is because the Delhi government has needless created a controversy about his mercy petition by putting out a rider regarding “the law and order situation” if he is hanged. This rider is attached to the government’s recommendation that endorses the carrying out of the death sentence. The Lt. Governor who is an astute bureaucrat saw through this political game of the elected government and has sought clarifications as to what is meant by this reference to the law and order situation. But since the matter is out in the open, the media has picked up the issue and a controversy about the intentions of the government has been created.
Let me put the record straight. Afzal Guru has gone through the entire legal process and found to be guilty of masterminding the Parliament attack by the Apex Court, which has upheld and sentenced him to death. His mercy petition has been pending and despite more than a dozen reminders, the Delhi government had put the matter under the carpet for more than four years.
Now that the matter is settled, the issue has to be forwarded after clarifications by the Home Ministry, which in fact is in charge of law, and order in the capital. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has no control over either law and order or land and it is surprising that her government should be talking about law and order.
Since the last two days, the Afzal Guru mercy petition has come up in a big way on the TV screens and people have been giving opinions, which have political colour to it. There is a defence, which is being put out for the convict. Many people have been saying that death penalty should be abolished and his life should be spared. He has been convicted because of circumstantial evidence and this is not enough, many argue. What they forget is that the Supreme Court has judged every element from all angles of the case before it has arrived at this verdict.
I am also personally against capital punishment but Afzal Guru’s case is different. He has been convicted for masterminding the attack on Indian Parliament, the temple of our democracy. There is symbolism in the entire attack. Had the militants who carried out the strike succeeded, many of our representatives may have died a gory death. In addition, the message would have gone throughout the world that India was unequipped and incapable of defending its own Parliament. Those familiar with the British Parliament’s history may recall that a person by the name of Guy Fawkes had tried to blow up the House of Lords. Fortunately he was caught and executed. Till this day, November 5, I think is celebrated in England as the day to commemorate the foiled attempt.
Afzal Guru has helped in carrying out the attack, which left several members of our security forces dead. He has committed a heinous crime on the Indian Nation. For that his execution has a symbolic value too. That his hanging will lead to a riotous situation in Delhi or elsewhere is too feeble an excuse. The message should be that anyone who attacks our country and its institutions cannot get away. The Congress and BJP should stop sparring with each other on the issue. There has to be a unanimous opinion throughout the country. If Afzal Guru has to be made that example than so be it.
(24 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5)
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Sir,
I wish the views you put forward in this article were the opinion of each and every true Indian.No court in this entire world can pronounce a lesser punishment to Afsal Guru than this one.As you pointed out there is no need for the Delhi Government to mention about the law and order situation if Afsal Guru is hanged.It may be because the ultimate aim of all of our National parties is to allure votes from minority communities. And the Congress party might have considered it as an ideal opportunity.It’s a fact that none,who believes in Islam-a religion which is based on peace,truth and non-violence,will oppose to the hanging of Afsal Guru,a NON-ISLAMIST.
By executing Afsal Guru,we will be proclaiming that India is ready to fight against terrorism.
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Vikram Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Hope the congress pussies understand this. Refering to the law and order problem is like suggesting that the Muslim community supports terrorists like afzal or is afraid of retribution from our enemies
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Mr. Vohra,
Both – your opinion and Mr. Fazil’s comment, are spot on!
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Mr. Vohra it is not a matter of sparring, it is the naked truth about the stupidity, vote bank politics and being in bed with the terrorists of the Congress party. They have used every conceivable excuse to avoid carrying out the sentence. the Congress party is more interested in pleasing their Muslim vote bank than to care about the country. If anyone objects or demonstrate regarding hanging of this criminal, hang them too.
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How ignorant you are inputing a media hyped story.Want to know factual position of the case, go & read”Field Notes on Democracy” by Arundhati Roy.Natural Principles of Justice demand detailed investigation followed by witnesses or proofs.Can you tell me where was he on the day of attack & with what weapon he attacked?.Also provide details of eight people who were”killed” on that day.
Do you know what GUY Fawkes means?
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pankaj Vohra Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Of course I know what I am talking about. I do not need to read anything on this. He has been convicted by the Apex Court. It is the President’s prerogative to take an appropriate decision on his mercy appeal. I have expressed my views on the subject even if you do not agree with them. He has been sentenced because of his active complicity in the crime against our country. Had such a thing happened in any western country including England and the US, things would have been over. You cannot attack India’s symbols and get away. To my mind the attack on Indian Parliament was even more serious than the one that took place in Mumbai on 26/11. In any case, both were attacks against the country and the punishment for those found guilty should be nothing less than what has been prescribed. Of course the legal processes have to be gone through first. So far as Guy Fawkes is concerned, he tried to unsettle the established empire in England by attacking the British Parliament. Thankfully he failed. Brgds. P
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smiling indian Reply:
May 21st, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Mr butt shows what sheila dixit refers to as a law and order crisis.
it’s because of such people,that muslims all over the world have to give an explanation about their religion.
justifying an anti-national,these are the people who consider islam as abouve the nation and humanity and support terrorism
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Congress is hotbed with mess this country is in. They can sleep with anyone to get the votes. Shiela dixit is an oxy-moron.
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It is my humble suggestion that the Hon. Courts while pronouncing a their judgement should make a provision the the “………the guilty be hanged to death depending on the law and order circumstances.” Or are they already there that’s why so much debate ? Gay Fawkes was never offered any such trial. So comparing him with Afzal Guru is wrong. It doesn’t matter now whether he is hanged or paroled. He has already been made a hero a la Robin Hood style !!
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A decision taken by the Supremem Court is not being honoured! The Congress has led the country to such a mess because of their vote-bank politics.
The vote bank of the Congress is the illiterates or the uneducated. So it is in the interest of the Congress that the majority of Indians stay illiterate.
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pankaj Vohra Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
It would be better if we stick to the subject of the blog and not air our views on everything else. IOt is not a question of the Congress or the BJP. It is the issue which affects the entire country. And you should always remember that the country is above any party. Brgds.
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It is high time Indians show Congress the door.
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pankaj Vohra Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
There are a lot of parametres on which any government is judged. So do not jump to any conclusions on what you perceive to be the fault of anyone party. The present government was elected for five years by the people of India. It is only they who can change it if they wish. No one else. Not me and not you. Brgds. P
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ABSheikh Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:11 am
In Obama speak, yes, you can! All you have to do is to vote in favour of some other party in the nextr election.
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The very suggestion of law and order problem by Sheila Dikshit, in case of Afzal’s execution reeks of anti Muslim feeling she has. It suggets that all Indian Muslims are in cohorts with the criminal. Afzal Guru has been found gulity by the highest court of the country. Every Indian needs to respect this judgment even if one were against capital punishment. By expecting trouble from Muslims, Sheila Dikshit is doubting the nationalism of Indian Muslims. These kinds of perception, and that too by educated and highly placed officials, create more trouble. I am quite offended by this “law and order situation” statement of CM of Delhi. She casts doubt on integrity of Indian Muslims.
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pankaj Vohra Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
I do not think that anyone doubts the nationalism of Indian muslims just because a handful of them have been involved in some heinous acts. The maxim is hate the crime not the criminal. The issue of Afzal Guru is not the hanging of a muslim but of someone who has been convicted for masterminding the attack on Indian Parliament. In eyes of law, the criminal has no religion or caste. He is judged by the evidence and circumstances indicating his or her involvement. Brgds.
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meena Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Exactly Pankaj….that is my point…..then why should there be any “law and order” situation. A man has been proven guilty by court and the punishment has to be carried out…why should CM think it will create law and order situation.
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ABSheikh Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:08 am
By the way, there will be a law and order situation in my locality if my local dada is apprehended and punished. By Dickshit doctrine, he should be allowed to go free. Should he be?
Sir
The fact that the govt has kept the issue hanging for so long is not due to any legal or other constraints but in its own discretion for reasons which fall within the domain of politics. The BJP being the party in the Opposition disagrees with this and raises it , which is its duty. We as ordinary citizens fall on either side depending on our own understanding and also talk about it and look at motives behind a party’s political conduct . And I think this is what democracy is all about.
So in my view it would be incorrect to say there should be no politics .
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let me remind you people who get killed in these kind of terrorist attack also have kids……..when SC hold decision of hanging a terrorist it is not sentiment ,,it is justice………………..Just think what if u would have lost ur father in a terrorist incident ,,would u have done same statement ?
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ultimate………………..because of people like you…india is going to pay the price in coming days…and why you are writing with a Hindu name ? ? reveal ur identity………I got who u are ……..
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Dear Pankaj,
Very good article – bang on. Clear and precise thinking.
I am adding my two cents –
First – Let us do what has to be done and what is right. Let us for once stop trying to analyze psy-ops effects and what the world will think, what pak will think, what U.S. will think, what will happen to mother secularism, who will become a martyr and the “false” concern for law and order, etc.
As Pankaj has rightly pointed out, The SC has convicted Afzal. Afzal was involved in attacking the parliament and many security people died trying to protect the seat of democracy. The killing and attack there was as menacing, as wanton and as barabaric as 26/11. Therefore , afzal is as guilty as kasab should be hanged asap. Perhaps one can argue as you have done, that it is of no less intensity than 26/11, even more.
Second – I have no illusion that most of the muslims in India do not care either for kasab or for afzal. They are both terrorists and sometimes we try and over-analyze the response from the muslims. By doing this, infact, we push the right thinking indian muslims more in the corner and despite no support for Afzal from the muslims, the congress’s statements (in this case) seem to suggest as if the muslims are opposing his hanging, which is blatantly false. This is very dangerous and we should avoid that. Further, and this is important – we should not think that hanging afzal will affect votes or in this case law and order. We should fundamentally try and believe that most muslims as most hindu would like the afzals and kasabs hanged equally. By trying and shielding Afzal, congress is actually perhaps harming the muslims more, for absolutely no fault of theirs.
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smiling indian Reply:
May 21st, 2010 at 4:57 pm
“seem to suggest as if the muslims are opposing his hanging, which is blatantly false” hoe do u know this????
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Indian Reply:
May 25th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Smiling indian,
Atleast I did not see any support for him. Why should we doubt them unnecessarily? let us not create smoke without fire. Unless you have some evidence of mass support base for afzal guru.
Besides, irrespective, as I have mentioned in my first point above, we should do what is right. In this case go ahead with executing the SC judgement.
Keep smiling!
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One wonder if killing of Mrs. Gandhi was bigger crime than attack on Indian Parliament! Killers of Mrs. Gandhi were hanged within a short span whereas person who master minded the attack on our parliament remain unpunished till date courtsey vote bank politics
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ABSheikh Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:02 am
There is a vast difference – attack on Parliament happened during NDA rule and anything which happened then must be viewed with vote bank politics in mind. NDA parliament has no sanctity. The matter would have been different if it happened under the rule of Congress.
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that law and order rider is slap in the face of india muslims.. indian muslims are being conjoined with this criminal.. Shila Dixit has got a lot to answer.. as if sleeping on this petition for four year was not enough fvor these congressi vermins now we have this unwarranted unsolcietd unwise and dare i say hateful rider..
who needs foe and when indian muslims have friends like these
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Dear Pankaj,
Just one question – Are we sure we are not setting the platform for idolising Afzal Guru somewhere in the future while we liken him to Guy Fawkes?
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pankaj Vohra Reply:
May 22nd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Gut Fawkes was not a hero. He is one of the most hated figures of British history. No question of idolising Afzal Guru by this comparison. Brgds.
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i am amazed by the opinion of most peple nowdaysand how ignorance is all pervading. guys stop spewing nonsense that congress is scared of muslims. this is a kashmir problem. there is a difference between musllim and kashmiri.
if it was case of hindu vs muslim, tell me one group or individual, who has lobbied to get ajmal kasab clemency. no one is advocating that. in fact i dont even think any pakistani group officially is stating that,
so then the question becomes why is afzal guru’s case so controversial with so many people advocating clemency. it is because of frickin how weak the case. is. gicving someone death penallty based on circumstantial evidence is unbelieivably stupid. and let me remind all that the lower court convicted 4 people and gave all of them death. the supreme court acquited the other 3. this whole trial reeks of poor jurisprudence, poor police wosk etc. anywasy for ppl who have no other way of analysing situation other than saying congress is pro-muslim or some silly thing of that sort, I just feel sorry.
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Indian Reply:
May 25th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Firstly, you are sitting in judgement of a case decided by SC as if you know more about the case than the SC.
Second, irrespective of that, who has given the right to the congress party to start thinking that
SC has not followed jurisprudence and hence they should delay the hanging?
Third, separatists in kashmir are creating trouble irrespective of afzal guru – and it is the govt. responsibility to manage those rabid anti-nationals. Worrying about some bandh announced by separatists should be of no consideration when deciding on the right part. – In this case the right part is to go ahead with the SC judgement.
Fourth – If this is a kashmir problem, why does shiela dixit have to worry about law and order in Delhi – forget kashmir, she does not even control law and order in delhi, it is the union govt. Clearly, she is alluding to disturbances likely to be created by “muslims”. So no, the people commenting on congresses horrible vote bank politicals and blatant communalism are not stupid. They are right in pointing that congress is playing a dangerous game and compromising on not only communalism, but also on matters of national security, protecting democracry, respecting judiciary.
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Subhradip Reply:
June 4th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
you are just too naive ! just wait for few months .. if Kasab is not hanged by then, you will find peoples making him as a vote agenda… and there will more like Sheila Dixit and others who will shower sympathy for Kasab.. its all and all for Hindus and Muslims.. thats it man. Else why wud Taslima slapped by Muslims in Kolkata and entire India be mouth shut while when Hussian paints Indian goddess nude, the government tries to save it as freedom of speech..
so I suppose you must read all aspects before putting your views… these are totally wrong!
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Afzal, Kasab, Guy Fawkes, xyz – contrarian beings! Either they go to the gallows, peaceniks notwithstanding, or we get truly and properly hung. No middle order or birthing qualms. Apologies to Reshma and Vinod!!
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There is no room for any doubt about Afzal's hanging. Both Sheila Dixit and Omar Abdullah are constrained by political vested interest and not by national interest.May be Sheila Aunty thinks that the hanging be postponed till the Commonwealth games are over and Omar does'nt want to offend pro-Pak and anti-India elements in Kashmir. Both should be damned. Afzal is guilty and he should be hanged without any further delay.
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Pankaj
You have written the article the best way it could have been. No more comments can be added as you covered all and every points. Pain to know that Indian Political system is so badly corrupted and broken for the greed of minority votes that now they damm care about the image of country as such.
Thanks for your excellent post.
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I would recommend that you check your facts. Afzal Guru was not sentenced for “masterminding the attack”. Further, the case against him has never been strong. Please read up facts before spewing lies on the internet
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