Separatist Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik on Thursday warned India against hanging Afzal Guru saying “it will have disastrous consequences for the whole region”.
Warning of return of violent struggle in the state, Malik said, “Kashmiris in 2008 transformed their movement from violence to non violence. If the wrong decision to hang Guru is taken, it will strike a serious dent in this process of positive transformation.”
Malik added that Guru’s hanging will have “a new era of violence, which will endanger and jeopardise peace, stability and prosperity of not only Kashmir but the whole sub continent”.
Malik’s statement has come at a time when the BJP has raised its pitch to hang Guru after Kasab.
“Kashmiri were not familiar with any kind of violence till Mohammad Maqbool Bhat was hanged at Tihar Jail, Delhi, in 1984. His hanging had every Kashmiri house hold giving birth to thousands of Maqbool's,” claimed Malik.
Malik said it was unfortunate that some Congress leaders are toeing BJP’s rhetoric on Guru. “This has started a wave of concern through the minds and thoughts of Kashmiris,” said Malik.
He said that Indian leaders, to score political points in coming elections, are increasing their rhetoric for hanging Guru. “We will only advice them to apply their minds and shun the path of poisoning the public sentiment regarding such sensitive issues,” said Malik.
Malik said wisdom and humanity should prevail and “no such decision should be taken that may put the peace, stability, prosperity and welfare in danger”. “I hope Indian leadership will realize the gravity of the situation and the ugly rhetoric of hang Afzal will stop,” said Malik.
{{/usCountry}}Malik said wisdom and humanity should prevail and “no such decision should be taken that may put the peace, stability, prosperity and welfare in danger”. “I hope Indian leadership will realize the gravity of the situation and the ugly rhetoric of hang Afzal will stop,” said Malik.
{{/usCountry}}He also expressed hope that Indian government will hand over the remains of Bhat to his family. “It’s constitutional right of a family to demand remains of his dear ones. When India is ready to hand over the body of Kasab to Pakistan what stops it to hand over remains of Bhat to his heirs in Kashmir,” said Malik.
Guru is convicted in the Parliament attack of 2001 and is on a death row. His mercy petition too has been returned by the President to the home ministry.