Tabassum Guru

Some Lesser Known Facts About Tabassum Guru

• Tabassum, a Kashmiri nurse, is the widow of the co-conspirator of the Indian Parliament attack (2001)  – Afzal Guru – who was awarded three life sentences and a double death sentence by the Supreme Court of India.

• Before getting married, Tabassum and Afzal were cousins. ^[7]Newslaundry

• While recalling some of the precious moments with her husband, during an interview, Tabassum revealed that Afzal used to call her by the name ‘Pyaari.’ ^[8]Newslaundry

• Tabassum, along with Afzal, once experienced misbehaviour from some army officers in a camp nearby their house in Jammu and Kashmir. ^[9]Newslaundry While talking about the incident in an interview, Tabassum said that while returning home from the market with Afzal, holding hands, the men in uniforms pelted stones at them. ^[10]Newslaundry The incident, however, had an irreversible effect on Afzal. Providing the details about the said incident in the interview, Tabassum said,
  

  We were walking back home, crossing an Army camp where the men in uniform were playing their evening games. When we walked past, they pelted stones at me, calling me names. Afzal did not say a word and neither did I expect him to. When we got home, he swallowed two painkillers. I asked him why and he said: ‘Look at me, he threw stones at you and I couldn’t say or do anything. What a coward I have become? How long should I keep quiet.” ^[11]Newslaundry

• According to Tabassum, she somewhere had a clue about Afzal’s involvement in the attack, but she couldn’t muster up the courage to ask him about it. In an interview, while accepting the fact of suspecting her husband’s actions and opposing the decision of his execution, Tabassum said,
  

  I won’t lie. I suspected, but I never checked, asked or stopped him.” ^[12]Newslaundry

  She added,

  I agree, he was not fully innocent, but did he really deserve the death sentence? What about those who actually shot those people? They walk away free?” ^[13]Newslaundry

• Reportedly, after the execution of Afzal Guru, on 9 February 2013 in Tihar Jail, the Indian government rejected the request of claiming the possession of Afzal’s body by his family. The said request letter read,
  

  We are writing to you to please permit the family members to give Afzal Guru proper dignified last rites in accordance with the religious traditions…If you could inform us when the family members can perform the ‘Namaaz-e-Janaza’, we would appreciate it.” ^[14]NDTV

  Tabassum, in an interview, shared a scenario when she asked her son, Ghalib Guru, if he would have watched his father during his execution if the officials had allowed him, and in response to this Ghalib said “no.” According to Tabassum, this incident made her believe that the decision of the Indian government, right from confirming his capital punishment to executing it secretly, was disgraceful. Expressing her thoughts on the said event, Tabassum said,

  In a way, Ghalib’s response made me think that Indian government has only shamed itself by conducting a secret execution and not allowing us to see him or perform last his rites. And, by going there, we could only allow them to show the world that they are a great democracy. So we didn’t. Yiman gas roy-e-siyahi gasinn (They must be shamed).” ^[15]Irfan Miraj

• In an interview, Tabassum read out the letters written by Afzal Guru during his imprisonment. One of the letters read,
  

  Woh kehte the [he used to say]: Khaak ho jayenge hum,Tumko khabar ho ne tak.[I would have turned into soil,By the time the news reaches you].” ^[16]Newslaundry

• Tabassum, during an interview, revealed that even after many years of her husband’s execution, the security forces kept an eye on her house in Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir and would often enter the house for checking. ^[17]Newslaundry While talking about it in an interview, Tabassum said,
  

  They walk around with their dirty boots all over my carpet. Nowadays, I laugh and tell them ‘Please come in, this is your own house.” ^[18]Newslaundry