Srinagar, Mar 1, KNT: Langate MLA Engineer Rasheed stirred political controversy on Friday by calling Afzal Guru a “martyr” and a “freedom fighter,” asserting that his execution marked the end of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to the media outside the Assembly after the morning session was adjourned due to opposition uproar, Rasheed claimed that Afzal’s bloodshed was not in vain. “Afzal made the ultimate sacrifice and I believe his blood will help pave the way for resolving the Kashmir issue,” he said.
He added that he supported the adjournment motion in the Assembly not because of political alignment with the Peoples Democratic Party, but because their demands coincided. “Our concern was the same. That is why I supported the motion,” Rasheed explained.
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Taking a dig at the central government, Rasheed said New Delhi had complicated the situation by denying Afzal’s family the right to receive his mortal remains. “By not returning Afzal’s body, the Centre gave Hurriyat a powerful issue without any effort. Now, Hurriyat would prefer that the body is never returned as it fuels their public mobilization,” he said.
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Reacting to Congress Minister Sham Lal Sharma’s accusation in the House that he was pro-Pakistani and anti-national, Rasheed responded defiantly. “I am neither Pakistani nor will I resign. If demanding plebiscite is a crime, why was Jawaharlal Nehru not hanged for promising the same at the United Nations in 1948?” he asked.
He questioned why Pakistan-administered Kashmir is allowed to remain separate if the people of Jammu and Kashmir were promised a choice under international resolutions.
Earlier in the day, Sham Lal Sharma had criticised Rasheed for showing disrespect to the Governor during his address in the House and declared that Rasheed had no moral right to be part of the legislature.
Rasheed further stated that had Jammu and Kashmir not been a disputed territory, no one would have dared to hang Afzal. “The Home Minister admitted that the execution was carried out to satisfy the collective conscience of the people, not because he was proven guilty beyond doubt. A large section of India did not support Afzal’s execution,” he said.
He also called for an investigation into the names mentioned by Afzal Guru in a letter to his lawyer before his death. “The Government of India must explain who Shanti, Devinder Singh, and Tariq are and what role they played in the Parliament attack. Why has there been no inquiry till date?” he asked. [KNT]
