Afzal - To hang or not to hang

Last week, one of the most crucial topic debated in the capital was not about farmer's suicide, the nuclear deal with US, or even the SEZs. It was whether to hang Mohd. Afzal Guru or not.

For the late comers, Mohd. Afzal Guru has been convicted by Supreme Court to be hanged until death for conspiring the Parliament attack in 2001. The attack killed seven security gaurds, shook the politial leadership and shocked the media-savvy citizens.

Post-attack, Indian govenment took up one of it biggest offensive preparations against Pakistan. Nearly half of our army was positioned at the borders. And of course, Pakistan moved theirs and for close to two years we were in an 'eye-ball-to-eye-ball' conflict with our neighbour. This caused the death of nearly 20 soldiers due to stress and adverse weather conditions.

The economic impact notwithstanding, it is undeniable that the Parliament attack was one of the most crucial event in the history of Islamic Terrorism in India.

According to Supreme Court, Afzal Guru has been instrumental in conspiring the act, coordinating the terrorists and being in contact with the terror heads in Pakistan. This, based on the impact it would have caused had the attackers succeeded and the enormity of the intention, is considered 'rarest of rare' cases that deserves the capital punishment.

What is my stand in this? I strongly feel that Afzal should be hanged.

It is because, this verdict was not given by a sessions bench nor was it proclaimed within 10 days of the trial. This verdict came nearly after five years of trial and has traveled from the Special Court to Supreme Court. Throughout the trial, Afzal never claimed innocent and even after the verdict, did not file the clemency petition. Now what is with the President is what his wife submitted.

He has been convicted by our highest court and we cannot say that the verdict is faltered. If we can't consider the verdict of Supreme Court as the final, those who scream for mercy should state what should be.

I consider that we have to respect Supreme Court as the final authority on dictating terms on constitution and law and order in this land. What it says on Reservation, Ayodhya, or even Narmada should be respected and adhered to. What it has said on Narmada is not I would have liked. But that's too bad. I just have to swallow my sorrow and move on.

Some say that the Kashmiri terrorists will gain a new lease of blood if Afzal is hanged and he might end up being a martyr for their cause and hence he should not be hanged. I want to ask them whether the terrorism in Kashmir would come down if we do not hang him. I think not. And I don't even agree with some writers who state that this issue has 'sharply' divided the nation. Most of the public really doesn't care and those who do have different opinions.

Some say that the capital punishment does not act as a deterrent, meaning to say that just because there is a threat, the crime rate doens't go down. This is true especially with terrorists. I mean why do they care when they anyway want to die as suicide bombers? But I'm saying hang him and prevent him from becoming a suicide bomber, because if he does, he takes a lot more innocent ones with him.

The terrorists should know that India will not tolerate their reckless and criminal behaviour. I want to feel strong and aggressive about my country. It seems that during the War Against Terror in Afghanistan, one of the B2 bombers had 'Eat This Osama' painted over it in huge letters. When we hang Afzal, I am not asking write something like this on the hood that cover his face. But I'm saying cover his face.

As Supreme Court stated, 'his life should become extinct'. This may not make terrorism extinct in this land.

But at least, we can build a hope.