Indians have a habit of complicating simple things. I have hardly seen an Agreement from an Indian firm that is direct and to the point. And Indians, of late, have developed another trait. They see a conspiracy where none exists.
And so it is in the case of Afzal Guru.
Whether I am for or against Death penalty has no relevance here. Nor should any one else's be.
Our Law has the provision for Death Penalty in the rarest of rare cases, and that should be respected by all, till they are changed.
The Conspiracy to blow up the Parliament and death of the Security Personnel should definitely fall under the rarest of rare cases.
The other apology that is given is that Afzal Guru did not get a fair trial, and evidence against him were flimsy. This is pure humbug. The same trial acquitted Geelani and gave a 10 year RI for another accused, but found sufficient evidence to prove Afzal Guru guilty. The track record of our Supreme Court clearly indicates that they are not trigger happy when it comes to sentencing someone to death. In fact, it could be accused of being too liberal.
If at all the Human Rights activists and others have anything to complain, it should be about the inordinate delay in disposing the mercy petition of Afzal Guru. A guy confined to the death chamber dies every day. Read John Grisham's Chamber to better understand the psyche of such a convict.
The final objection pertains to his execution being conducted in utmost secrecy. Considering the possible fall out in Kashmir and elsewhere, this was the best possible course of action, to avoid unwanted deaths and riots. The relative calm across the country after the hanging justifies the secrecy.
Would converting the death sentence of Afzal Guru led to lasting peace in Kashmir? His hanging was delayed by 8 years? Did it lead to permanent peace in Kashmir? It didnt. The North Eastern States have more grievances against India than the much pampered Kashmir. But they abide by our Constitution and law of the land, dont they? Then why cant Kashmir, who has so much special privileges vested on it? The per capita expenditure on Kashmir by the Central Government is one of the highest. Still they nurse a sense of victimhood. Repeal Article 370, bring the Uniform Civil Code and develop the concept of Nationhood. No special privileges for anyone or any State beyond a stipulated years, so that at least by 2030 we have a Nation where everyone is equal.
‘You can sacrifice an individual for a family, family for a village, village for the welfare of a nation' - This quote from Panchatantra is suffice as any justification, if any is required.
In the case of Afzal Guru, it is not even a sacrifice. He got what he deserved, as per the Supreme Court. And that is enough for me and should be for all of us
