Afzal clemency: Hindu org seek President's attention

New Delhi, October 13: Six Hindu organisations under the umbrella of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha today submitted to the President APJ Kalam a memorandum opposing clemency to Parliament attack accused Afzal Guru.

A press release issued by the Mahasabha said, "we, a representative of the Hindu religious and social organisations, request President APJ Kalam not to overrule the Supreme Court verdict awarding death sentence on Afzal for his role in the Parliament attack on 13 December 2001." According to the release, they told the President that the the mercy petitions sent to him did not bear the signatures of Afzal, Quoting index of public opinion polled by different TV channels, the release also drew President's attention to fast building opinion against clemency to Afzal.

''Clemency will mean disrespect to popular opinion, the basis of democracy the release claimed. "JK Chief Minister Gulam Nabi Azad was wrong to claim clemency on the ground that the date of hanging coincided with Friday on October 20," the release mentioned, adding further,"he (Azad) would well do find why Arab Emirates, no less a Muslim than any one, allows hanging on Friday only,".

The six Hindu outfits under the umbrella organisation are Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh, Dharma Sangh, Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, Sant Samiti, Vishwa Sanatan Dharma Parishad, Akhand Hindustan Morcha.

UNI