The execution of Afzal Guru, convicted for the attack on the Indian Parliament, has resurfaced as a significant electoral issue in Jammu and Kashmir. The controversy has been ignited by recent remarks from former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has suggested that if the Jammu and Kashmir government had been consulted regarding Guru’s execution, he and his government would have opposed it. Abdullah argues that the hanging of Afzal Guru did not yield any substantial outcomes.
Afzal Guru was executed in 2013 following a Supreme Court directive, during which the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power at the center, and Omar Abdullah’s N.C government was in Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah’s contentious statement has prompted criticism from opposition leaders, who question why there should be any discomfort with executing a convict for a grave national crime. They point out that the Supreme Court had deemed Guru’s crime as one of the most severe crimes. Critics accuse Abdullah of attempting to gain electoral benefits by seeking support from separatists and terrorists, a strategy reminiscent of that employed by People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti, whose father thanked separatists after his electoral victory in 2014.
The reality on the ground in the Kashmir Valley remains complex. Despite appearances, the roots of terrorism and separatism have not been entirely eradicated. The local context, which may not always be visible from afar, reveals a different picture. Local leaders and activists, who are in close contact with the public, have a deeper understanding of the region’s true situation. This explains why such statements are emerging, reflecting the sentiments and psychological state of the local populace.
The debate over Afzal Guru’s execution illustrates the deep-seated tensions and challenges in Jammu and Kashmir, where political maneuvers and local realities often intersect in complex ways. The discussion not only highlights the ongoing struggle with terrorism and separatism but also underscores the broader political strategies at play in the region’s electoral landscape.
