WATCH: No Purpose Was Served By Executing Afzal Guru, Says Omar Abdullah

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has voiced his opinion on the execution of Afzal Guru, the convict in the 2001 Parliament attack, stating that the hanging “served no purpose.”

Abdullah, in an interview with ANI, expressed his opposition to capital punishment and suggested that if the Jammu and Kashmir government had a say in the decision, they would not have approved Guru’s execution.

“The Jammu and Kashmir government had no involvement in Afzal Guru’s execution. Had it required the state government’s permission, I can say with certainty it would not have been granted. I don’t believe any purpose was served by executing him” Omar told ANI.

Guru was executed in February 2013 at Tihar Jail for his involvement in the attack on Parliament. Abdullah emphasized that his stance stems from his general opposition to the death penalty, citing that judicial systems are not infallible, and mistakes have been made in the past.

Abdullah’s remarks come as Jammu and Kashmir prepare for their first Assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370. Abdullah is running for the Ganderbal and Budgam seats, hoping to win both and restore what he calls the “respect taken from us.”

The elections will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, with results to be announced on October 8.