National Conference leader Omar Abdullah stated on Friday that he believes the execution of Afzal Guru, who was convicted for the 2001 Parliament attack, served “no purpose.” He also mentioned that the former Jammu and Kashmir government did not approve of Afzal Guru’s execution.
In an interview with news agency ANI, Abdullah said, “The Jammu and Kashmir government had no connection with Afzal Guru’s execution; otherwise, state government approval would have been necessary, which I can tell you with complete clarity was not obtained. I don’t think the execution served any purpose.”
Supporting his views, the former Chief Minister stated that he is against the death penalty and does not “believe in the infallibility of courts.”
He added, “Evidence has repeatedly shown us, whether in India or other countries, that people have been executed only to later discover that they were innocent.”
Afzal Guru was executed on February 9, 2013, in Delhi’s Tihar Jail for his involvement in the December 13, 2001, attack on the Parliament, and he was buried within the prison premises.
Abdullah’s comments come ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, which will be held for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370.
Abdullah has filed nominations for two constituencies—Ganderbal and Budgam—for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. Speaking about his candidacy, he expressed his hope to win both seats and to “restore the honor that has been taken from us.”
Voting in the Union Territory will take place in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1. The election results will be announced on October 8.
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