BJP Blasts Omar Abdullah Over Afzal Guru Remarks Amidst Kashmir Tensions

The political landscape in Kashmir is intensifying as former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sparks controversy with his recent remarks. On Friday, Abdullah, a leader of the National Conference, questioned the execution of Afzal Guru, who was convicted for his role in the 2001 Parliament attack. Abdullah claimed that the hanging, carried out in 2013 at Delhi’s Tihar Jail, served no meaningful purpose and stated that if the decision had been up to the then J&K government, it would not have been approved. He expressed his opposition to capital punishment and skepticism about the infallibility of court judgments, citing cases where wrongful executions have occurred globally. Abdullah’s comments have ignited a political storm, with BJP leaders accusing him of engaging in appeasement politics. Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the National Conference for allegedly supporting dialogues with Pakistan and terrorism. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh questioned if public recognition of Guru would have been more appropriate. In contrast, the Congress party has distanced itself from Abdullah’s statements, highlighting the ongoing political divide and heightened tensions in the region.