Mohammed Afzal Guru has been sentenced to death for his role in the attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001. His execution is scheduled to take place on October 20.
Protests against the death sentence have erupted across Jammu and Kashmir, Afzal's home state; he belongs to Tarzu village near Sopore town. Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad himself asked for clemency for Afzal. Other prominent voices include former chief minister and Rajya Sabha member Farooq Abdullah, who will meet President Kalam to make the request, stating that Afzal 'had not been given a chance to defend himself'.
The clemency requests have set off a controversy over the matter. The Bharatiya Janata Party, in particular, flayed Azad's statement, saying that this indicated the Congress' lax attitude towards terror.
Meanwhile, Afzal's family has travelled to Delhi, hoping that he will be granted clemency.
What is your opinion? Do you think that granting Afzal clemency would be justified? Should he be executed for his role in the terror attack? Tell us.
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