Ruwa Shah
Veteran separatist leader and Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani on Monday addressed a huge gathering at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi and demanded the mortal remains of Afzal Guru.
Geelani said, “Afzal’s execution is a murder by the hands of Indian democracy,” adding “What can be the height of cruelty than denying the body of a person to his nears and dears”. He strongly condemned the hanging of Afzal Guru and demanded for the return of his mortal remains. Geelani asked for the active support of the Indian civil society. Geelani also called for the complete “freedom from India” and termed India as “occupier” in Kashmir.
Geelani was house arrested by Delhi police immediately after the hanging of Afzal Guru. He was released only a few days back.
The protest was organized by the committee of civil society headed by S A R Geelani, professor, at Delhi University against the execution of Afzal Guru, parliament attack convict in Tihar jail on February 9, 2013.
The protest was attended by world famous writer Arundati Roy, professors from Delhi University, Hyderabad University, Kolkata University, and dozens of activists. Kashmiri students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Delhi University (DU) also took an active part in the protest.
Addressing the gathering, SAR Geelani termed Afzal’s execution as a “murder”. He said that the protest at Jantar Mantar was a message that the sentiments of Kashmiri people can’t be killed.
Kashmir’s wounds are so deep that nothing short of full Azadi can heal them.