Should Afzal be hanged?

***gaurav200x***

Hang Afzal and suffer: ex-J&K CM

The debate over whether or not Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal should be hanged continues. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has warned that if the death sentence is carried out – it could well have dangerous consequences.

Speaking exclusively to CNN-IBN’s Karan Thapar on Devil’s Advocate, Abdullah said: “We have paid the price of Maqbool Butt's hanging by the judge who was shot in Kashmir. Let me be very candid on this programme – those judges will need to be protected like anything.”

Abdullah has warned that some crook will come and murder the judges.

“Therefore my request in your programme is that for God's sake, see that they are protected. One. Secondly, I will tell you – this nation will go up in flames – because the terrorists will do such things that will destroy the relationships of the Hindus and the Muslims here,” he added.

Abdullah said that the hanging of Mohammed Afzal, convicted for the 2001 attack, would turn him into a "a hero" and provide "a massive weapon to the separatists".

Abdullah argued that if clemency was not shown to Afzal "you will be making him a hero for centuries to come". Afzal is due to hang October 20.

"He's a man who is least important at this time. Secondly, you are going to give a massive weapon to the separatists in Jammu and Kashmir. The separatists are (already) saying this is the way they (India) treat Kashmiris," Abdullah said.

Taking a rather contradictory statement, Abdullah first insisted that Afzal was "innocent", and later on went to assert that the conviction was correct but the punishment "extreme".

"The unfortunate problem is the lower court, which had given the sentence. If he Afzal had got the right lawyer at that stage I'm confident that his case would have been proved that he is not directly involved in this.

"He himself was never there in the Parliament House. The point is the evidence put forward by the police is not absolutely infallible."

Abdullah claimed that another consequence of hanging Afzal would be the damage to the India-Pakistan peace process.

The National Conference leader even feared that if Afzal is hanged the judges who convicted and sentenced him could be "murdered".

"This nation will go up in flames because the terrorists will do such things which will destroy the relationship between the Hindus and Muslims here. Kashmir will anyway go up in flames. There will be turmoil which India will have to face."

While voices of dissent have emerged from the Kashmir Valley – Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad even reportedly approached Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking Afzal’s clemency – there have been hot protests in Delhi and elsewhere.

Afzal, convicted for aiding five terrorists who stormed the Parliament December 13, 2001, was sentenced to death by a trial court, and the Supreme Court had later upheld the verdict.

***gaurav200x***

So what is ur take on the issue? Do u think clemency should be imparted to Afzal or should he be hanged?

***gaurav200x***

3 days and no replies....... c'mon guys, this is a serious issue...... Do pour in ur thoughts.

deepakraam

In my point of view clemency should not be given.Attacking a parliament is a serious security issue for the country.The reason for giving clemency like the judges will be murdered and the country would turn to turmoil cannot be accepted.He must be punished for his conviction.

If Afzal was given clemency then whoever commits a crime would start claiming that hanging him/her would disrupt the peace of the nation.This would turn to be a blackmailing.

Moreover there is no guarantee that if Afzal was set free there would be no terrorist attacks in the country.

-Deepak

***kartik***

Why would this even be a debate ?

Whats in there to debate.

Afzal is a terrorist. Hang him. Punish him. Make an example out of him.

***gaurav200x***

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartik

Why would this even be a debate ?

Whats in there to debate.

Afzal is a terrorist. Hang him. Punish him. Make an example out of him.

that is very true! but if u had seen the 1st post, then u would have noted what abdulla has said. The debate is about the same...... i dun think being scared and not punishing the culprits is the right thing to do. This would only encourage them to commit more crime.

6.vinay

hey i thnk according to me if some 1 can take life of so many people without any fear then y shud we even think of not hanging him come on" tit for tat"

go its my order "HANG TILL DEATH"

***gaurav200x***

Gr8 view points guys....... but the point which needs focus here is Abdulla's statement that if we hang afzal, it would bring in more terrorism and more blood shed in the state.

So do u agree with him or not ? Should we lay back and act like pansies from the fear of increased terrorism or should be hit them head on? Do u think politicians like Abdulla are promoting terrorism by voting against imparting justice?

Keep ur views posted......