Political system of this country has made the Judicial system subsidiary to religious sentiments which is dangerous for the credibility of democratic structure. For this gigantic secular country, Justice should be equal for everyone but in the present day context, the efforts of the political parties tantamount to shatter the faith in democracy.
These thoughts were expressed by the leaders of various organizations engaged in human rights protection activities. This meeting was held at Banjara Hills. These leaders include Dr. Jeevan, Dr. Neethi Sarkar, Dr. Satadarshini, Dr. Kulsoom Reddy, Ms. K. Saraswathi, Ms. Sagardhara, Ms. Sujaya, Ms. Chandana Chakravarthy, Mr. S.Q. Masood and others.
They expressed grave concern on the hanging of Afzal Guru. By hanging Afzal Guru Govt. has not hanged Afzal Guru but it has assassinated justice. They expressed sympathy with the members of family of Afzal Guru and demanded the Govt. to hand over the dead body of Afzal Guru to his family members to provide an opportunity to perform his funeral rites according to Islamic Shariat.
They heavily criticized the act of the Govt. to keep his hanging secret and said that it has violated all the democratic norms and human values. His family members were not informed about it. It seems that the process of hanging is confined only to the Muslims and the Daliths. They appealed to all the parties to come together on a common platform without viewing it from a religious perspective. So that an attempt is made not to allow the political system to override judicial system.
Dr. Jeevan told that their attempt was not to save Afzal Guru but to make the Govt. adopt democratic values which they failed. They opined that the capital punishment of death sentence should be abolished. Ms. Sajaya asked that would anybody like to hang a culprit for political gains? She pointed out that in 1975 Bhumaiah and Krishniah were hanged and now Ajmal Kasab and Afzal Guru were hanged. She asked why doesn’t Govt. hang Narender Modi who is responsible for killing thousands of Muslims? She also criticized the attitude of the media.
She told that on the recommendations of International community, 148 countries have abolished death sentence but India has retained it which is deplorable. Mr. S.Q. Masood heavily criticized the protests made against Mr. Varavara Rao and said that hurdles are being created against those who raise their voice against injustice.
All the leaders of the meeting demanded the Govt. to hand over the dead body of Afzal Guru to his relatives. The Govt. should also lift the ban on his family members for facing the media. The organizations which participated in the meeting were Apna Watan. Human Rights Forum, Mensfort Social Institute, Hyderabad Man Manch, Human Rights light work and concerned citizens of Hyderabad.
——Siasat News