The Parliament Attack and its implications

On 13th December, 2001, the symbol of our Democracy, the Parliament, was attacked by Militants belonging to the Terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. In the attack, 9 security personel and a Parliament staffer were killed, and most of the terrorists were also killed. Now, 5 years on, the nation remembers the attacks, and families of the victims mourn their deaths even now. But, the attack on Parliament has now been overshadowed by the events surrounding the Mercy Petition of the Attack Conspirator, Mohammed Afzal Guru. This issue has divided the opinion of the Indian public, and it is raising questions wether Afzal deserves to be hanged or should he be pardoned?

India has often not pursued aggressive policies against terrorism. The fact was illustrated during the IC-814 Hijacking incident. The Government negotiated with the terrorists and they agreed to their demand, and from then on even after the attacks of 7/11 in Mumbai, the policy of the government remains unclear.

Hanging Afzal will achieve one important thing. Firstly, India might perhaps shatter its image to the outside world that it is going soft on Terror. In a recent series conducted by CNN-IBN titled "Decoding Afzal", it mentions the fact that Afzal knew the terrorists and that it is concluded that he was the conspirator behind the Parliament attacks. Certain members of his family have corroborated that Afzal knew the terrorists.

However, the circumstances surrounding the way the trial of Afzal was conducted is still unclear. In 2000, he claims that the Special Task Force (STF) tortured him into confessing his role in the Militancy in Kashmir. Also, there are allegations that Afzal did not get a Fair trial, and that some evidences have been faricated against him. Hence, the debate wether Afzal should get the death penalty is being put on hold.

Until and Unless, the Public should not be distracted too much by the Afzal Case. They should reflect upon a fact that no nation, no symbol of Democracy is safe from the Terrorists. This event should be a rallying point that terrorists deserve No Mercy, and by the rightful execution of the Judicial processes in a Democracy, they should be put to death.