The hanging of Afzal Guru to satisfy the collective consciousness of Indians dates back to a turbulent period in Kashmir’s politics. Growing up during this time, Afzal was influenced by the region’s volatile situation, particularly after Maqbool Butt’s hanging. The people of Kashmir decided to fight an electoral battle to resolve the Kashmir issue through peaceful means, forming the Muslim United Front to represent their sentiments.
However, Delhi was alarmed by the massive support the MUF gained, and consequently, the elections were rigged on an unprecedented scale. The leaders who participated in the election and won with a huge majority were arrested, humiliated, and put behind bars. This was the time when Afzal Guru, a young and idealistic man, was studying MBBS at Medical College, Srinagar.
After witnessing the election rigging, leaders called for armed resistance, and thousands of youth, including Afzal, took to armed revolt. Afzal, influenced by the JKLF, crossed over to the other side of Kashmir but returned after a few weeks. Upon his return, Afzal surrendered and was given a BSF certificate as a surrendered militant.
Afzal dropped out of his MBBS program and became a dealer of medicines and surgical instruments on a commission basis, starting a normal life. However, this marked the beginning of a horrific period in his life, characterized by harassment, torture, and blackmailing by forces and the STF.
In the 1990s, it was common for forces to round up civilians and torture them brutally if there was a militant attack somewhere in Kashmir. The situation was worse for surrendered militants, who were detained for weeks and threatened with false implications. Afzal Guru was no exception to the forces’ torture, and he recounted his ordeal in an interview.
Afzal stated that Major Ram Mohan Roy of 22 RR gave him electric shocks to his private parts, forced him to clean toilets, and sweep their camps. DSP Vinay Gupta and Davinder Singh supervised the torture. He was coerced into bribing his way out of detention, with his wife selling her jewelry and their scooter to raise the funds.
Afzal Guru paid this bribe after his wife sold her jewelry, and for the remaining amount, they sold their scooter. Afzal Guru said, “I learned in STF camps that either you and your family members get harassed constantly for resisting or cooperate with the STF blindly.”
Furthermore, Afzal said, “One day, DSP Davinder Singh asked me to do a small job for him. He told me that I had to take one man to Delhi.” Afzal Guru said, “I had hardly any options left except to accept this. I was supposed to find a rented house for him in Delhi.”
Afzal Guru said, “I was seeing the man for the first time, but since he did not speak Kashmiri, I suspected he was an outsider.” The man introduced himself as Mohammad, who was later identified by the police as the leader of the Parliament attack.
Afzal Guru said, “When we were in Delhi, Mohammad and I used to receive phone calls from Davinder Singh. Mohammad used to visit many people.” Afzal Guru said, “Mohammad purchased a car and told me that now I could go back and gave me 35,000 rupees, saying it was a gift. I left for Kashmir for Eid.”
Afzal Guru said, “Back from Delhi, when I was about to leave for Sopore from Srinagar, I was arrested and taken to Parimpora police station.” Afzal Guru said, “There, they tortured me and took me to the STF headquarters, and from there, they brought me to Delhi.”
Afzal Guru said, “In the torture chamber of the Delhi Police Special Cell, I told them everything I knew about Mohammad. But they insisted that I should say that my cousin Showkat, his wife Navjot, SAR Geelani, and I were the people behind the Parliament attack.”
Afzal Guru said, “The police wanted me to say this in front of the media. I resisted, but I had no option when they told me my family was in their custody.” Afzal Guru said, “I was made to sign many blank pages and was forced to talk to the media and claim responsibility for the attack.”
When a journalist asked Afzal about SAR Geelani’s role, he replied, “He’s innocent.” ACP Rajbeer Singh shouted at him. They were really upset when Afzal deviated from their story, and ACP requested the media not to broadcast the part where Afzal spoke of Geelani’s innocence.
Afzal Guru said, “Accepting the charges was the only option left if I wanted to see my family alive. So I did exactly what they wanted me to do.” Afzal Guru said, “The other reason was that the Special Cell officers promised they would make my case weak so I would be released after some time.”
Afzal Guru said, “Police made me a scapegoat in order to mask their failure to find out the mastermind of the Parliament attack. They have fooled the people.”
Afzal Guru said, “People still don’t know whose idea was to attack the Parliament. I was entrapped into the case by STF of Kashmir and by DPSC.”
Then the media constantly played the confession tape. The police officers received awards, and Afzal Guru was condemned to death. Afzal Guru was scapegoated, the collective consciousness of Indians was satisfied, and JKP officers received medals. This didn’t stop there… the same is happening till now.
This pattern of torture, coercion, and false accusations continues. Recently, Makhan Din, a Kashmiri youth from Bilawar, Kathua, was forced to commit suicide after being tortured under illegal detention. Threatened and humiliated, Makhan was coerced into confessing militant links. His tragic death highlights the ongoing human rights abuses in Kashmir.
The stories of Afzal Guru and Makhan Din serve as a reminder of the injustices perpetrated against the Kashmiri people. Their sacrifices will not be forgotten.
-The writer is lecturer in Muzaffarabad University
