SGPC mum over Afzal's death sentence, pleads clemency for Bhullar

New Delhi, Oct 14 (UNI) Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Avtar Singh Makkar has refused to comment on the impending execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru and urged all political parties including the BJP to support their demand for clemency to a Sikh youth who is also facing capital punishment.

Talking to newspersons here today, Mr Makkar said, ''We have sought the support of all parties for our demand for clemency for Davinder Singh Bhullar facing execution in 1993 bomb attack at the Youth Congress office.'' He said, ''We have nothing to say about Afzal case .... Our main concern is about Bhullar and other Sikh youths behind bars for past two decades.... All parties should support our cause whether they are in power or outside.'' Congress leader from Punjab Avtar Singh Katron accused the Shiromani Akali Dal, which controls the SGPC, of raking up the issue of Bhullar's clemency ahead of the Assembly elections in the state due next year.

He charged the Akalis with not saying anything about Afzal, who has been awarded death sentence in 2001 Parliament attack case as their alliance partner, the BJP, was opposing clemency to Afzal.

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