Mohammed Afzal was convicted last year for masterminding the terrorist attack on Indian parliament that took place on December 13th 2001. On that day, a group of gunmen broke through tight security and killed 12 people, before themselves losing their lives.

Although it didn't have a huge number of casualties, it is thought of as one of the most serious attacks against India, because it came within a whisker of wiping out the entire political leadership of the country, which would have plunged India into an unprecedented crisis.

The Indian penal system employs the death penalty for certain crimes, and after his conviction in 2005, Mohammed Afzal was sentenced to death for his role in planning the attack. He was due to be hung on October 20th 2006.

However, the Indian Supreme court has put the scheduled execution on hold after the filing of a mercy petition by his wife. Whether or not he will be hanged now depends upon the intervention by the President of the country, Abdul Kalam, who has the power to accept or reject the mercy plea.

The fate of Mohammed Afzal has become the most debated and disputed issue in India. The issue has dominated the Indian press, with a huge variety of opinions being expressed on the issue.

Pro-Afzal demonstrations have been held in Delhi and Kashmir, which analysts believe will lead to serious rioting if is hung.

Many believe that it will be seen as a gesture of benevolence and good will on India's part to pardon Afzal, and will help to 'win hearts and minds' in Kashmir. There are also anti-capital punishment campaigners in India and elsewhere who are trying to pressure the government to desist from employing the death penalty.

On the other hand, many believe that to go soft on Afzal would send a sign to terrorists that India is a 'soft state', that doesn't have the nerves to tackle terrorism resolutely.

The families of the eleven Indian security personnel that were killed in the Parliament attack also staunchly against any leniency being shown to Afzal. Prem Devi, widow of Jagdish Prasad Yadav, who was the first security official to alert the entire security apparatus in Parliament House when terrorists stormed it on December 13, 2001, has threatened to return his posthumous gallantry award that her husband received, should Afzal be pardoned for his role in plotting the attack.

In recent weeks, the President of India has met both the family of Mohammed Afzal as well as those of the slain security personnel. His choice will have far reaching ramifications for the future of Indian policy towards terrorism.

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