The Hindu story on Afzal Guru’s letter evoked over a thousand likes and these 81 COMMENTS on the website in last 48 hours.
Let me try to explain as how I read Supreme Court's order.
Afzal Guru gave every bit of informations he had, to persons whom he knew were from banned outfits such as LeT, as declared by
Now the question I want to ask Afzal's sympathizers here is, what did Afzal think these people were going to do with the vital informations he gave them - perform dance shows all over
Also, people in Hindu orgnanization whether hardcore or not, are not sadist. Some people here aren't giving any thought b4 writing.
from: Tilak
Posted on: Feb 19, 2013 at 06:24 IST
I can't believe that The Hindu has stooped so low. Afzal broke the law and was
responsible for the death of innocents. I don't understand why people are trying to
glorify him.
He is not a Gandhi who uttered this a few months before his death.
"Even if I am killed, I will not give up repeating the names of Ram and Rahim, which
mean to me the same God. With these names on my lips, I will die cheerfully."[2]
Afzal is a small minded individual who wishes peace only to followers' of Allah.
That such a letter was published is deeply insulting to everyone Hindu, Muslim or
atheist. Not to mention, those who suffered directly due to his acts.
If people are furious at an imaginary injustice, I suggest they do some grassroots
work helping the millions of downtrodden children (of all religions) in this nation.
from: N Kumar
Posted on: Feb 19, 2013 at 01:23 IST
From the letter, it looks obvious that Guru has never felt remorse for his acts. The day when people understand the poison in religious books which preach that MY god is superior to YOUR god, only then the world will improve. unfortunately that mental maturity in humans is really lacking.
from: Peter
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 20:11 IST
I admire The Hindu for publishing Guru's last letter that he wrote shortly before he was hanged. However, there is an error in the translation that the newspaper also published. Guru did not address to the letter to "devout Muslims." The Urdu words he wrote down mean "people of faith."
from: Sididque Malik
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 19:49 IST
I am a regular reader for more than 30 years. Please keep up with your tradition of not appeasing pseudo nationalists and pseudo patriots. Afsal Guru is a victim of the state, I bow my head in shame.
from: Roopesh
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 19:41 IST
Do you realize that you are instilling a sense of mistrust towards this nation in minds of a section of population by question marking whole judicial and executive system ?
from: Manish
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 16:31 IST
please stop this Afzal series and make some statement about horrifying state of economy which is being ignored by every section of media but being felt by every single person sparring few privileged ones.
from: Manish
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 16:23 IST
I am reader of The Hindu for last 12 Years.I appreciate The Hindu stance on abolition of Capital punishment . But the way , Paper has projected Afjal Guru case and tried to sensationalize the capital punishment. In name of Exclusive coverage of his Family and letter written by him , Paper has belittle itself and Ideology followed by it.
Please take care , in name of Secularism and liberalism do not support anti national stance of person .
from: RAHUL
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 15:15 IST
It is such a pity that an entire cross section of our society suffers from a warped sense of justice and law. even from the last letter it is clear that AG did aid and is an active participant on the attack of parliament. If that does not emminently qualify him for the death penalty I cannot think of another. If this kind of warped sense of justice continues, the day will not be long when the police and security forces will not be ready to defend the nation with their lives. People like Omar Abdullah will probably understand the gravity of the situation when next time he is in parliament and a similar attack is successful. but then probably his understanding will be too late to be recorded.
from: shiva
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 13:32 IST
The message from the news is that Congress used Guru politically, trying to take credit of punishments for rebels in haste inhumanly. Sushilkumar Shinde has failed in his efforts and I am sure Afjal Guru will rise again in his community as martyr than a terrorist. Sushilkumar has acted (obeyed) irresponsibly hence deserves outrage. Guru case will linger around and will drown Congress.
from: Nitin
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 13:31 IST
There was no point in publishing this letter in a national newspaper , the letter only leads to speculations,no one knows what was going on in guru's mind when he wrote the letter and what is his interpretation of Truth and Righteousness.The letter doesnt prove anything,whether he was innocent or guilty.
from: Abhishek
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 13:21 IST
Let us please for heaven sake do not glorify a terrorist last mail to his family as it would create a wrong sympathy and also a wrong message could be inferred. Rather than rememebring those innocent security personnel who lost their lives in that tragedy on the day of the attack on Parliament and also making attempts to ensure whether those families have received adequate compensation from the government, unfortunately the publicity and attention these days is only for terrorists, criminals, etc by portraying them as super heroes. There should not be any sympathy for any terrirists, criminals otherwise, let God save our society
from: Partha
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 13:20 IST
I request my Hindu brothers specially those affiliated to hardcore
Hindu organization not to make haste in calling anyone terrorists.
Please note what the supreme court has said regarding Afzal.
In its judgment on August 5 2005, the supreme court admitted that the evidence against Afzal was only circumstantial, and that there was no evidence that he belonged to any terrorist group or organisation. But
it went on to endorse what can only be described as lynch law. "The incident, which resulted in heavy casualties, had shaken the entire nation," it said, "and the collective conscience of the society will only be satisfied if capital punishment is awarded to the offender."
It was to satisfy the conscience of society that this penalty was awarded. And these conscience was built by our communally biased media. Had our media been neutral in their coverage we would not have
seen this day. Where many of us Indian believe that Afzal had nothing to do with Parliament attack.
from: John
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 12:51 IST
Afzal Guru always maintained the stance that he was unnecessary dragged into it just because of his past. So True, if a criminal has a past, the society as well as police never allow him to reform. Even in the case of being innocence, they are implicated & there is no justice. Don't jump the guns as the Truth went along with him. Let his soul rest in peace.
from: Chandra
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 12:44 IST
Islam is a religion of peace and no god tells his believers to kill inncoent citizen in the name of religion.
In my view, the Hindu should not even publish this kind of news and should not encourage terrorism in any form.
If he wants freedom for Kashmir, I welcome that he should fight peacefully as Dalai Lama is doing for
Or How Mahatma Gandhi did it but not by killing common public or mp or mlas.
EYE FOR AN EYE MAKES THE WHOLE WORLD BLIND
from: ravi kumar
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 12:42 IST
I have been a regular follower of the Hindu for past many years... but I find it very disappointing the way case of Afjal Guru case has been handled by the hindu... Trying to glorifying a traitor of nation is not what one expects from a newspaper of this stature... If you do not want to criticize him at least do not praise him.. the least you can do is be indifferent.
However he got what he deserved being a traitor he was!
from: Vandita
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 11:55 IST
"A hundred thousand gratitudes to Allah that He chose me for this stature", these are definitely the words of a martyr,rest upon you as you are enough old to understand things.
from: vikas
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 11:51 IST
He who was condemned as a terrorist, now asks muslims not to grieve and follow the path of truth and righteousness that he has followed...
from: karthik
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 11:49 IST
How do they know that Allah have choosen them???.They are commiting henious crimes and taking the name of Mighty Allah for all this and mixing his blessings with blood. I am a hindu and i dont know about Islam but I am damn sure that the "Mighty Allah" does not choose or give the permission to perform such crimes.
from: Nikhil Chaurasia
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 11:44 IST
Brother Reddy: Don't read the context with the negative feelings...why should a person regret on something which he has never done,,look at the context again it proves if he would have done this brutal act he had definitely ask for forgiveness becoz he is going to die, a person who is going to die in few minutes will surely ask "Please forgive me if i had done something wrong" to have a calm and peaceful death but he didn't do this becoz he knows he has not committed a sin for which he has been martyred.
Second he addressed to those people he knows they will be affected not to the common people who are happy with this vote bank and shameful game,He is advising them to stay calm not to fight.
from: Sheikh
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 11:16 IST
There is something to be learned from his last letter. It clearly shows he had risen
above the politics, and the "human" construct of life and death. This letter shows a
calm mind, devoid of fear. Makes me question - did the death penalty really punish
him? Maybe not - in his mind he had accepted death long before he was hung.
from: Sanjay Joshi
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 10:39 IST
What are you going to achieve by
glorifying those terrorists?How come this newspaper alone is
forgetting the pains and sufferings of the family members of
parliament attack victims and other terror victims?Every time a
terrorist is executed,The Hindu goes virulent in attacking the
goverment, but never did they publish one article narrating the
horrors of victim's family.
from: Johnson P John
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 10:14 IST
Problem with some critics like Arundhati Roy is that they use to view
every situation from one angle- anti-democracy and anti-national. It is
indeed anti-democratic to prevent the people of
determination. Having said that we must not forget that no plebiscite or
voting can be done at the gun-point whether it belongs to Indian army or
Militants. Only Kashmiri muslims don't own the right to determine the
fate of kashmir, there are Kashmiri pandits too, who have been driven
out of valley long back.
from: Shakti
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 10:00 IST
I have seen the border, where Indians are killed very bitterly with no discrimination of religion. Myself Army background will appeal Indians to be less biased with various religion in the country. Every Indian either from any religion should have harmonious relations with each other. Have you ever thought about us where different religious personnel stay together with a common bonding of friendship and if such thing would take place then no one can imagine what can happen. Anyone tarnishing the image of the country by doing such thing should be hanged. I do have respect in the Honorable court's decision. This would have been done earlier rather than delaying. This country in its present shape is not because of Afzal Guru, this is because of the freedom fighters, leaders and the soldiers who have laid their lives for their country (motherland). Soldier's wife knows consequences. Avoid such comments and debates to ensure peace in the country please.
from: SUSHIL
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 09:40 IST
This doesn't suit for The Hindu to publish a terrorist letter. what you want to glorify by publishing his letter. you want to make him religious hero, while he is not. Please do your introspect and your duty towards the Nation.
from: Krrish
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 08:59 IST
Really now, some people here are saying that if Afzal was "secular" he would have
addressed the letter to the nation rather than the muslims. Arent we (Hindus)
bitten badly by the secular bug.
Understand that secularism happens when law stands tall above religion; and when religion becomes a personal matter, not the other way round. As it stands today, Congress wont allow (in its past 65 years of rule) a uniform civil code to be passed, because of the muslim vote bank. BJP's core agenda cites uniform civil code. Even
for a newspaper run by Marxists, this should be music to the ears.
Guess who is really secular then?
from: Guneet Kaur
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 08:48 IST
Is it not true that many of those who commit heinous crimes are
remorseless and even justify their wrong doing either in the name of
god, country or their conscience? History is full of such instances and
it is also common knowledge that fundamentalists in all religions are
known to support such individuals who refuse to repent for their crimes.
A democratic society like ours has to find a way to reduce the number of
such crimes to the bare minimum so that it can move towards abolition of
death penalty.
from: Narendra M Apte
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 08:27 IST
Really heart touching words from afzal.I am seeing his words in perspective of a father who is worroying aout his family.But he may show his regret for what he did in past....
from: kranti kumar
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 08:17 IST
Let's read these lines 'Also my greetings to all Believers [of Allah]
that we all remained on the side of the truth and the right. May we all
be on this path [of righteousness] and die for the truth and the right'.
A man convicted for a crime, on the way to his death speaks of Truth and
Right. Something to ponder about. Was he speaking truth or lying when
writing his last letter?
from: Syed
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 08:10 IST
By publishing this news, The Hindu has once again gone irresponsible.
If The Hindu expected to create a sympathy for Guru and accuse the
Govt alleging that the Govt has gone wrong(by hanging), absolutely NO.
You are wrong. For the heaven's sake, change your attitude towards
this kind of issues and capital punishment in
people are still notorious and a good number of people are activated
by external forces to work against
punishments here. If The Hindu is not changing your views and
behaving responsibly, you are doing harm to the very society who you
think you are the saviour for. Up to you The Hindu.
from: Mani
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 08:03 IST
I have began to the doubt his role in the parliament attack, from the
day i read that his case was mis-dealt and was given no opportunity to
present his version, nor he was given a competent lawyer to defend his
innocence(if any) and neglecting the fact that the accomplices were
introduced to him by the body which was keeping a close eye on him.
from: Sai Kumar
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 08:02 IST
Dear Hindu, thanks for sharing.
from: PSMayo
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 04:52 IST
RIP those who are wronged by justice (as we know from numerous articles
on this case) and the victims of terrorism (who sacrificed their lives
for many corrupts in the parliament) whose souls should be shaking if an
innocent man is hanged while we don't even know the identities of those
real terrorists who carried out the attack. What a shoddy investigation
and kangaroo justice.
from: Samar
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 03:38 IST
How can people blame him for seeking God at a time when he is about to
be hanged for what most say is dubious evidence (for those that hate,
he was the nearest Muslim and Kashmiri who believed in self
determination, available). Of all moments, surely at deaths door is
the one time you will mention the creator you believe in. He makes no
mention of those that fabricated deeds against, those that killed him,
but gives hope to the innocent & that he is the first of many to be
killed by state terror. I wonder what the comments from these same
people will be if (& a big IF) when one of the Hindu terrorists are
hanged (Rajiv's killer, Samjauta express, Hyderdabad terror attackers,
Sikh killers, Gujarati nazi's). No talk of traitors then.
from: Pb Sutton
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 03:27 IST
There is no glory for the crime against a nation. Allah won't forgive
any of the terrorist for killing innocent people. Why can't people
think for nation instead of religion? Being extremist of any religion
in a secular country is not going to help for any body.
What he did was a crime. A crime against nation so please stop glorifying him. He is dead and was not at all feeling guilty for his cruelty.
Problems of
from: Rahul
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 02:46 IST
By giving most publicity to a terrorist who is given capital punishment
by The Supreme court The Hindu is slipping miles down from the
patriotic premises on which your newspapaer was founded.
from: K.Sreenivasan
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 02:33 IST
Afzal Guru is hinting at his martyrdom in his letter. If he had no part in the parliamentary attack, he is a martyr. If he had any complicity in the attack, he is just a criminal. All along he had been saying that he was unnecessarily dragged in to this. In the past, people have been falsely framed for sedition, like Dr. Binayek Sen.
from: Syed
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 02:20 IST
Hmmm!!! May Allah forgive him for his sins he had committed while he was alive. I guess it was mainly due to his ignorance, inability to love people & also because of wrong interpretation of Islam. What a waste of a life.... He could have done something good for everyone rather than spreading hatred. I dont understand why cant people love each other without thinking about cast, religion & creed. But I am hopeful that I'll be able to see that day....One day!!! Amen! :)
from: Aashiq
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 01:33 IST
I am really sad that how The Hindu could be so poor in publishing its report. What purpose this letter we serve? This will only inspire some of uneducated and radical Muslims on the path of Jihad. His letter clearly shows that he has no sense of remorse and wants all the Muslim's to follow the same path. And by pulishing this letter The Hindu did a grave mistake of making this psychopath terrorist a martyr. As one of reader rightly pointed out, why Hindu did not pulishes the letter/message of those who died in the attack? Why The Hindu did not pulishes the letter of our soldiers who are everyday being killed by these terrorist on border. The Hindu must have a proper scrutiny for what to publish and what to not.
from: Md Sonu Ahmad
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 01:07 IST
First thing:- I dont find any non secular essence from the letter.
Secondly The Hindu shouldnt be blamed about printing it. Well it might
be wanting to portray the state of mind of the Terrorist, although he
never mentioned statements like:- He was proud for making this
heinious crime or killing Indians as enemies.
And yes I can always expect this kind of release by The Hindu only
which is undoubtedly a Pro Social, Secular and very analytic news
paper.
I hope we can trust on to the Editors in chief and its non commercial
attitude of releasing news.
from: samar
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 00:40 IST
Guru is a real man of soul are these are his last words, he has
written this letter for his family in kashmir, Guru has not used the
word muslim devout, it is translated as such, in urdu he has written
"mohtarram aahli khanah aur aahli emaan aasalam u aaliakum" which
means Respected family members and those who believe in God and the
day of judgement,if anyone believe in God and the day of Judgement
this letter is for him. And by the way it was the Collective
Conscience of Indian Society which was satisfied by hanging him.
from: Suhail Bhat
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 00:37 IST
This letter is enough to explain about his belief system. " great
stature" oh my god!! by sending terrorist and killing innocent people at
parliament of
I don't know why the hindu has publish his letter. Certain section of
Indian media is doing great harm to the nation by publishing such news
and the hindu is one of them.
from: Madhav Krishna
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 00:18 IST
Maybe I would have used the word Indians too but he was from kashmir where people have been alienated from rest of Indians. Does his addressing devout muslims make him fit for death sentence? Religiosity is no crime but intolerance is a crime.
from: Seema Alam
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 00:02 IST
To all who have commented:
He has never been adjudged as Terrorist by the Supreme Court. The Court
in its verdict has said that he was not member of any of the
organizations but Keeping the sentiments of majority in consideration he
was awarded the death. Being a Muslim he has written very well and the
letter is for the Muslims and not Indians or Kashmiris.
from: Nadeem Khan
Posted on: Feb 18, 2013 at 00:01 IST
It is very sad that this newspaper "Hindu" will incorrectly translate the letter of Mr.
Guru. This is the orginal translation of letter:
"Respected family and all the believers.
Asalam u alikum (peace be upon you)
I thank almighty, that he has chosen me for this destiny. From my side, I want to
congratulate all the believers. We all should stay with truth and righteousness, and our end must also come on the path of truth and righteousness. My request to my family is that instead of grieving over my end, they should respect the destiny I have
achieved.
Almighty God is your greatest protector and greatest help.
I leave you in Allah's protection."
from: Jammal Kashur
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 23:48 IST
This letter gives a completely different picture. We all consider him as a terrorist. But he is actually sounding like a freedom fighter, at least it looks like he believed himself to be so, similar to some Tamil people who have fought in Srilanka, attacking rulers with the aim of wanting freedom. This world is complicated!! Many of whatever we call as good or bad are mostly from a specific view point which most likely would look otherwise from a different view point. Not sure what is the best system that would suit everyone in this world.
from: labki
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 23:31 IST
Enough of Afzal Guru, please get over it and allocate your highly
regarded media space for some productive and nation building purposes.
from: Sunil
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 23:30 IST
I think this country will soon discuss the plan about execution of editors of newspapers.My suggestion to the editor is to better be silent in this secular and democratic country.Say what the 'collective conscience' of this nation says.Be careful,you never know when the 'circumstantial' evidence will become lead you to gallows.Besides our president is in a T-20 mode.
from: wartj
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 23:25 IST
Where are we heading as a nation??
There is no second thought that, a person like Afzal Guru should be
executed or not. He was not some one who is in anyway helping the
cause of the nation, or at least Muslims to that matter.
We have so many people who are sacrificing everything just to make
sure that we are safe. Why should not we talk about them. What exactly
media is trying to do by unnecessarily holding on to this issue.
At least be happy that the Indian government is taking some tough
decisions after a long time. We, as a nation have so many things to
worry about... corruption, poverty, bad economy and so many. Let us
give some thought to those, and help ourselves.
Respect those who are who are protecting us, who are feeding us and
creating jobs for us. Nothing wrong in taking out something if it
eating away the system itself.
from: sandeep
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 23:24 IST
The letter of Afsal Guru does contain neither any message or nor his repentance on what he has done to the country, people who died in the parliamentary attack. It does not deserve the prominent print media space. "The Hindu" paper should change its name for the sake of Indian Population. To portray its secular image against the back drop of religion in its Title, newspaper "The Hindu" is always trying to defend or glorify the activities of members of minority community.
from: Srinivasa Rao
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 23:07 IST
That was Great Work By THE HINDU.
I Expect THE HINDU Comment Section will be expanded with Likes Facility for each Comment and Nested commentings.
A True Souls Letter it seems
from: Rashid
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 23:01 IST
The letter shows that Afzal has attained great and strong spirituality
in the Tihar jail. This is only the spirituality which made him write
this letter in these strong words even few hours before his death.
from: Reyaz
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 22:59 IST
This letter is,clearly addressed to the family members.It is not
intended to be a public document. A letter or no letter,when I view the
matter solely from human angle,my sympathies are with the bereaved
family.At the same time,I cannot help think of the people who lost their
lives in the shoot out.
from: Gajanan Tamasn
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 22:50 IST
The letter shows that religion can be a source of great strength. This
man will be remembered as a hero.
from: Hilary Pais
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 22:37 IST
This reads like in glory of someone.I am taken aback with this post
from "The Hindus",such a good time to country that right decisions are
falling in line and we cannot stand anything playing with safety and
faith of countrymen.We are living in era where goodness has multiplied
and so has evil,until culprits are punished with right judgement there
is no sureness of preserving agony and accidents.We have already
confused a percentage of Indians with media showing on political
parties outrageously speaking against this decision ,done over and
again will infuse people with sorry feelings with culprits in years
apparently there is no quick judgment ever which itself is a biggest
irony.We have to stay one as a family for issues which threatens our
esteem & peace.Media plays such a life like role in broadening our
horizons,they really need to be conscious about good and bad
considering status quo.
from: Manisha
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 22:31 IST
@abhay: The letter is written in urdu and he has not written "DEVOUT
MUSLIMS" It is the wrong translation that may be translated as "people
of faith" instead of "DEVOUT MUSLIMS".
from: Mir
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 22:24 IST
The calmness that he showed at the time of his death is worth
admiring.Our society has this hegemony of terrorists that want to kill
all.But,terrorists are not born like that,its the society that makes
them like that.For one group they are matyres(and for the
others they are terrorists.
from: owais dar
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 22:22 IST
I congratulate The Hindu team for publishing this letter. There has been so much debate and controversy about Afzal's death sentence. And this letter is a testimony that the Indian judges were absolutely right in interpreting the existing laws of the land. Because no one would register a single lie just moments before death.
Given that this letter bears his own handwriting, I'd compassionately hang him a thousand times to take him to the cloud number 9 of his sectarian "martyrdom".
from: balhara
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 22:13 IST
Some people are expecting a sense of "Indian-ism" from Afzal Guru. Did the British expect a sense of British-ism from Bhagat Singh??
How is Afzal Guru an Indian?? He is a Kashmiri secessionist wanting freedom from
from: Avinash V
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 22:06 IST
What purpose does this article serve apart from inciting people to do detestable things in the name of religion ? It is indeed shameful on the part of THE HINDU to have published it. Please take this down.
from: Ashish
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 22:00 IST
Request you to not to glorify
Afzal. In
matter what religion he
supposedly belongs. Afzal is
enemy of the state.
from: Raju
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 21:58 IST
I am against death penalty, but let’s, for the argument sake, assume that it is a good thing. How about the cause of justice? How can a prisoner be hanged as a result of a judicial verdict in which the court admits that the proof of guilt is not clear but the man still should go to the gallows because it will please the country? What if hanging the judge who penned down that logic makes the country happy? I had a lot of respect for
from: Siddique Malik
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 21:46 IST
I don't understand why a news paper like The Hindu is giving so much attention publishing news about Afsal Guru.If he had denied his role in the attack, indeed the news could have been more relevant.Now that the law has taken its course,please stop publishing more about him because it will only help creating false sentiments over all the convicts in the death row.I always believe that terrorism should be put down with an iron hand but there should be ample evidence to prove involvement.
from: pallikunnil Divakaran
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 21:42 IST
This letter clearly shows that he had no part in the crime and unfortunately he was convicted without a solid DIRECT proof of his involvement.
We have seen many people are punished throughout the world for the crimes that they never committed and here, politics was the main reason to send him to gallows suddenly.
May God rest his soul in Peace and have mercy on his family.
Thanks a lot for Hindu to publish his letter.
from: Mazil
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 21:36 IST
To all those view Afsal's last letter as communal, ask
not communal on telling that? He didn't told Muslims to retaliate
against his death but to keep calm. Is it communal? Narendra Modi has
killed thousands of people cold blooded which u people don't think
communal. Is n't it? Ask your minds? Many questions regarding the
Afsal case still remains unanswered. He is not at all directly
involved in the killing and there is no evidence against him as
pronounced by Supreme Court and it want to fulfill someones
consciousness. Hats off to Hindu on their commitment to stand along
with Justice.
from: Iyas
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 21:33 IST
Personally, I'm a little(euphemism of course)disappointed with Afzal
Guru's letter and so I'm sure would be the reaction of many of my
secularist and not-so-secularist Indians. Let us get this clear: He was
not saving anyone as a residual motive of his mission. The media has
been rife with statements pertaining to his execution and I agree with
the fact that benefits of doubt are there to be given, even to most
heinous crimes committed. His letter is addressed to 'Muslims'- his
community and so goes down the abyss all those secularist vows that
this man apparently endorsed. Give us (all of us: Indians) reasons to
believe that we are diverse yet, unified. That a man about to fact the
gallows would undertake such a communal stance is shocking to say the
least.
from: Upasana Bose
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 21:33 IST
Some readers are suggesting that Afzal should have addressed the Indians rather than Muslims in his letter. Well, to which Indians would he have addressed. To the ones who tortured and humiliated him for several years after he gave up the gun or to the one's who made him a political football for their petty political gains. Or to the one's who burst crackers and distributed sweets at the news of his death. Every Kashmiri and every truthful Indian knows that he was wrongly implicated in the case by the state agencies to cover something really fishy. His is a story of thousands of Kashmiris who have been a victim of state terrorism for many many years now.
from: Misbah
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 21:29 IST
Hanging is neither a penalty or an instance for other criminals.There
is only the sense of revenge which multiplies the enimocity,does not
reduce enimoicity by any measure.Religeous craze generally is created
by Gurus and preasts.Better would have been to hand over Afzal to his
respected Mulla to give him true meaning of Kuran.
So many leaders of extremists have been killed including Osma Bin Ladan
yet the violence does not stop.The root cause are Mulla who should have
been taken in confidence which no one has done including America.India
could have shown their real spirit of culture....to reduce enimocity.
from: Ashok
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 21:26 IST
Some parts of the letter are
mistranslated and does not reflect the true words (meaning) of the author. Let
me transcribe that part in Roman for all to read (non urdu readers).
"baki meri teraf se aap tamam ehle emaan ko bhi mubarak ho ki hum sab sachai aur haq ke saath rahe/rahain*(i am unable to figure which verb author intended, former seems appropriate with the preceding sentence while letter seems compatible with following sentence fragment)".
The Hindi version in English :
"I also have a sense of gratitude for you all followers of the faith that we are all on the side of the truth and the right."
"ehle emaan" is an exclusive term, since the letter addresses the family of the victim, the referents of the term should only be the members of the victims family (not All Indian Muslims)
"sachai aur haq ke saath rahain" it means, we all BE on the side of truth and right, as opposed to Hindus version of it WE ARE ALL ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH AND RIGHT.
I may be WRONG.
"baki meri teraf se aap tamam ehle emaan ko bhi mubarak ho ki hum sab sachai aur haq ke saath rahe/rahain*(i am unable to figure which verb author intended, former seems appropriate with the preceding sentence while letter seems compatible with following sentence fragment)".
The Hindi version in English :
"I also have a sense of gratitude for you all followers of the faith that we are all on the side of the truth and the right."
"ehle emaan" is an exclusive term, since the letter addresses the family of the victim, the referents of the term should only be the members of the victims family (not All Indian Muslims)
"sachai aur haq ke saath rahain" it means, we all BE on the side of truth and right, as opposed to Hindus version of it WE ARE ALL ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH AND RIGHT.
I may be WRONG.
from: Riyaz Ahmad
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 21:25 IST
Afzal Guru was an Indian and a Kashmiri. This letter throws light on the
kind of thinking ksahmirirs have cultivated and developed over the
years. Death penalty given to convicts like Guru will only harden this
feeling among the Kashmiris, especially the youth. What the government
needs to do is to find ways to make people of kashmir feel homely and
feel that they are an integral part of the nation.
from: Akshat Agarwal
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 21:21 IST
THE HINDU is just treading the wrong path. Glorifying a terrorist is
itself an act of terrorism in my belief. Rather than singing songs of
martyrdom for afzal guru , THE HINDU should work for the glory of our
martyr soldiers at the border or those who lost life in parliament
attack defending the soul of country. His confession itself proves he
was not innocent at all and he deserve what he got. JAI HIND
from: ALOK KUMAR GUPTA
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 21:05 IST
I fail to understand as to why some extreme hindus seem to be at fire on seeing the letter written by Afzal to his family.The letter does not contain anything against India.Any innocent person killed is a martyr and shall be rewarded hereafter and the killers have to pay the price.
from: Mohammad sayed
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 20:52 IST
It has made clear to all those who questioned the death penalty of
Afzal. Afzal conviction was correct and he hailed his act as some sort
of islamic propaganda. His life sentencing was correct or not is a
matter of debate.
Our country needs to suppress all the religious bigots of any religion
and it is probably the fundamentalist who are the biggest threat to
humanity.
from: VIkrant Singh
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 20:45 IST
He was so convinced that he was not the part of conspiracy that he did'nt even file his mercy petition which was later filed by his wife. He would have ofcourse addressed to the people who have been a part of the protests against injustice right after he was dragged in this case and not address those who could'nt ever understand his innocense.The media only intervened when they found some serious loopholes in the case that amounted to an unfair trial and not because of the emotions elicited for him posthumously.Various reports seemed to suggest that the 2001 parliament attack could have been stage managed in wake of war against terror after 9/11. How do people expect him to address INDIAN PEOPLE in his last letter when the INDIAN people had alienated him? He was being hanged for the crime he never commited which unfortunately no Indian could either understand.It is really a shameful for people to expect him having addressed the whole nation, where he was considered a terrorist.
from: Nadeem
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 20:27 IST
Actual Translation . That one is also Correct no doubt .
6:25 am the time
in between is that " Starting With the Name of Allah The Almighty.
9/2/2013.
Respected family and all the believers.
Asalam u alikum (peace up on you) All
I thank almighty, that he has chosen me for this stature. From my
side, I want to congratulate all the believers. We all should stay
with truth and righteousness, and our end must also come on the path
of truth and righteousness. My request to my family is that instead of
grieving over my end, they should respect the stature I have achieved.
Almighty God is your greatest protector and greatest help.
I leave you in Allah's protection."
from: Mubarak ahmad
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 20:21 IST
Mr Godse also had given an affidavit.All terrorists have their own
reason justifying their crime.Nothing unusual
from: Ramakrishnan P
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 19:47 IST
What a great inspired man!
from: Venugopal Reddy
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 19:27 IST
Afzal's last letter clearly shows that he had NO regret for the crime he committed, for which the highest court in our land sentenced him to death. It is a very communal letter as well-- if he was really secular, he should have addressed it to all Indians, not just Muslims.
from: Vaidyanathan
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 19:25 IST
Well, I am confused, I opened this page with the hope to see, if he
really was the person as some media men have been projecting him, all
myths destroyed the moment I read "THE DEVOUT MUSLIMS", I am not a
religious person, but believe in "INDIAN" as my religion. To THEHINDU,
Can't you publish the last letters of the people, who die ON THE BORDER.
from: abhay
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 19:19 IST
This letter don't look like a letter written by a terrorist. He may have a noble soul.
from: dr ajay
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 19:18 IST
By publishing this letter the hindu is glorifying the death of a enemy
of state, being widely circulated daily I would urge hindu to refrain
from giving martyrdom(wide news coverage) to such anti-state elements.
from: sreenivasa reddy b
Posted on: Feb 17, 2013 at 19:15 IST
