Instead of me, hang Afzal Guru: Modi

Pune, May 10 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said instead of hanging him for the 2005 fake encounter of alleged criminal Sohrabuddin Sheikh, the country should first hang Afzal Guru for his involvement in the terrorist attack on Parliament in 2001.

Addressing the audience after releasing a CD on the 1857 uprising organised by Savarkar Pratisthan and Academy for Advanced Studies here this evening, Mr Modi said ''Why hang me, hang Afzal Guru.'' He said whatever he did it was keeping in the mind the best of the country.

Veer Savarkar gave a new direction to the countrymen to continue the fight for freedom from the British Raj, he said.

Recalling the sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, the Chief Minister said it was rather unfortunate that the country had forgotten the supreme sacrifices of freedom fighters.

''Country should not forget the historic events like 1857 which is the role model for the country's freedom strugle,'' he said.

Mr Modi said he would continue to propagate the slogan 'Vande Mataram' for regaining power at the Centre.

Before the Jalianwala Baag massacre, the British had shot dead more than 2000 people from Gujarat for the uprising against the British rule, he pointed out.

UNI