Afzal case: BJYM members protest against Cong's silence, arrested

New Delhi, Oct 10 (UNI) More than one thousand members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BYJM) were arrested while demonstrating against the Congress' silence on clemency to Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

According to a press release, the police stopped BJYM march before they could reach Sonia Gandhi's residence at 10, Janpath. They, however, burnt the effigies of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Ghulam Nabi Azad before breaking down barriers on two roads erected by the police.

The police resorted to using water cannon, damaging the ear drum of the BJYM National General Secretary Amit Thakkar, according to the press release.

Addressing the demonstration, Dr Harsh Vardhan alleged that the Congress had got an appeal made by Ghulam Nabi Azad in order to grant clemency to Afzal Guru.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi have since kept silence, which according to him, is building an impression that Indian Government protects the terrorists.

It has all given rise to apprehension that Afzal Guru may not be hanged on October 20, he alleged.

''If he were not hanged, it would have a demoralising influence on the entire country,'' he said, adding the BJP will therefore continue its agitation.

Meanwhile, Hindu Mahasabha claimed today to have been granted an appointment with President A P J Kalam on October over the raging controversy.

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