Srinagar, Leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) have paid homage to Muhammad Maqbool Butt and Muhammad Afzal Guru, two prominent figures in the Kashmiri liberation movement, on the eve of their martyrdom anniversaries. Both men were executed in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, with Butt being hanged on February 11, 1984, and Guru on February 9, 2013, their remains interred within the jail premises.
According to Kashmir Media Service, detained senior APHC leaders, including Shabbir Ahmed Shah and Nayeem Ahmed Khan, conveyed their respects from Tihar Jail, emphasizing the indelible legacy of sacrifice left by Butt, Guru, and countless others in the struggle for Kashmir’s right to self-determination. They underscored the importance of perseverance and courage in the face of adversity, urging Kashmiris to continue their quest for freedom and justice.
The call for the international community, especially global human rights organizations, to pressure India to return the mortal remains of Butt and Guru for burial in occupied Kashmir was reiterated. This demand highlights the ongoing struggle for dignity and respect for Kashmiri activists and their families.
Other APHC leaders, including Advocate Arshad Iqbal, Muhammad Haseeb Wani, and Yasmeen Raja, among others, labeled the executions of Butt and Guru as judicial murders, critiquing the Indian judiciary’s failure to deliver justice for Kashmiris. They argued that these cases exemplify the systemic bias and lack of impartiality faced by Kashmiris in Indian courts, portraying the executions as stark injustices that underscore the broader issue of political vengeance against the Kashmiri people.
The sentiment was echoed by APHC-AJK leaders like Mehmood Ahmad Saghar, who, along with colleagues, denounced the unfair trials leading to the executions of Butt and Guru. They declared both men as heroes of the Kashmiri people and reiterated the demand for the return of their remains, symbolizing the ongoing resistance against Indian rule and the aspiration for freedom among the Kashmiri populace.
This collective remembrance and demand for justice serve not only as a tribute to the lives and sacrifices of Butt and Guru but also as a continued call to action for Kashmiri rights and self-determination, reflecting the deep-seated resolve among Kashmiris to seek recognition and resolution of their longstanding grievances.