The Hanging of Afzal Guru: And the Strange Case of the Attack on the Indian Parliament Edited by Arundhati Roy

A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF JUSTICE, TRUTH, AND THE "COLLECTIVE CONSCIENCE."

The attack on the Indian Parliament on December 13, 2001, remains one of the most enigmatic and contentious events in recent Indian history. Eleven years later, the masterminds behind the attack—and the identities of the attackers themselves—remain shrouded in uncertainty. Yet, on February 9, 2013, Mohammad Afzal Guru was executed to satisfy what the courts termed the "collective conscience" of society, despite the Supreme Court itself noting that police investigations had been marred by fabricated evidence and procedural violations.

The Hanging of Afzal Guru is an essential, meticulously assembled reader that brings together the voices of lawyers, journalists, academics, and writers. By examining the trial and the subsequent execution, these essays raise urgent, uncomfortable questions about the integrity of our legal system, the nature of evidence, and the government’s complex relationship with Kashmir. This is a haunting, necessary work for anyone who cares about the principles of justice and the health of democracy in India.

Why this book is a must-read:

• A Crucial Historical Record: Documents the complexities and controversies surrounding a pivotal moment in Indian legal and political history.

• Multi-Perspective Analysis: Features diverse, expert voices that interrogate the trial, the investigation, and the geopolitical implications of the hanging.

• A Call for Accountability: Challenges readers to examine how the "collective conscience" can sometimes override the fundamental tenets of due process.

• Essential Reading: A cornerstone text for those interested in human rights, Indian politics, and the intersection of law and power.

Demand the truth. Add The Hanging of Afzal Guru to your collection at Beetle Bookshop today.