BJP MP Maneka Gandhi accused the Congress of delaying the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and said it was an insult to those who laid down their lives fighting terrorists in the incident.
“The Congress has insulted the martyrs, who laid down their lives for the security of Parliament by not hanging Afzal Guru, even though he has been convicted by the court,” Ms. Maneka told reporters here.
Alleging that Afzal is not being hanged only due to vote bank politics, the MP from Anola said the Congress’ only concern was the vote bank.
“People of all the religions are in favour of capital punishment to Afzal Guru, only Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit was giving statements in his defence.”
On Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab being awarded capital punishment in the Mumbai attacks case, the BJP MP said that the Union government was wasting crores of rupees on him.
“While Kasab is being offered all the luxuries and facilities as per his wishes, an Indian Sikh is lodged in a jail in Pakistan and is being threatened of being hanged every day,” she said referring to Sarabjeet Singh.
Terming the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to distribute mid-day meal during summer vacation as impractical, Ms. Maneka said even teachers and children need holidays at least once a year.
She said that during holidays, foodgrain should be given to children.
