Srinagar, June 13 (UNI) Kashmir’s chief cleric and Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said the narrative of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 is a “myth.”
He claimed that “oppressive measures” remain firmly in place and there is “no political or administrative space available to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Addressing the Friday congregational prayers at historic Jamia Masjid in old Srinagar Mirwaiz asked Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, who is the in charge of the law and order in J&K, as to why the Eid-ul-Adha prayers were not allowed at the Eidgah ground and Jamia Masjid in Srinagar. The decision to disallow Eid prayers at Jamia had triggered a backlash from many, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“We are meeting first time after the occasion of Eid, when we were not allowed to offer Eid prayers either at Eidgah or at Jama Masjid. Both places were locked down and I was put under house arrest. For the last seven years, this action has deprived Muslims of Kashmir of their basic right to practise religious rites,” Mirwaiz said.
“I want to ask the authorities — especially the LG sahab as he is the head — that while he extends Eid greetings to people and talks about the spirit of Eid and Islam in a very reverent manner, why are the Muslims of Kashmir prevented from offering Eid prayers at Eidgah, or even at the Jama Masjid? What is the reason? The authorities should spell out their fears and apprehensions if that is what prevents them — or is it to punish Kashmiris?” he asked.
“The reality is that oppressive measures are very much in place and the so-called narrative of normalcy post abrogation of 370 is a myth. There is no political or administrative space available to the people of Jammu and Kashmir—it is shrinking by the day,” Mirwaiz said.
He also hit out at the Omar Abdulla-led elected government claiming that so far, they have failed to stand up and safeguard the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
UNI MJR PRS