Srinagar, Aug 26: Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani Sunday accused New Delhi of making attempts to rule J&K with its military might.
 Asserting that he was not against Amarnath Yatra, the veteran separatist leader said “it is written in the holy Qur’an that all other religions should be respected. Hindus and Sikhs are like organs of our body. But New Delhi wants to rule the state with its military might.”
 Geelani alleged that the influx of lakhs of yatris to Kashmir annually is the “state policy of New Delhi to show its people that Kashmir belongs to India and raise the moral of army stationed in the state.” He warned the government of serious consequences “if it made any attempt to change the demography of J&K by settling non-local laborers in the Valley in a planned manner.”
 “India as a policy matter is allowing lakhs of Yatris to come to Kashmir. This has not happened in the past. It is actually done to show its people that Kashmir belongs to India. Coming of six lakh yatris should be read well. Supreme Court is pushing for construction of road. BJP wants to construct road up to the cave shrine. Congress plans are no different. They want to raise the moral of army. They want to tell us that we are here and are not going to leave us,” Geelani said at the launch of Misaak Akuut—a document—at his Hyderpora residence here
 “Four lakh migrant workers are residing in Kashmir. If the trend of influx of non local laborers will continue, we will turn into minorities in our own land in few years. Later Government will give them certificates which will eventually render us as minority community in the state,” Geelani alleged.
 Geelani called for keeping an eye on the non local workers during their stay and work in Kashmir. Citing an example, he said “a trend has started in Kashmir in which Mehandi artists from outside are allowed to create designs on the hands and arms of our daughters on the marriage ceremonies. What has happened to our dignity? It is high time that we introspect and see where we are heading.”
 He also asked the people to stay away from “army-organized tours, cultural programmes at educational institutions.”
 Taking a dig at people who dub him as communal, Geelani said, “Whenever I talk about Yatra, many people call on those people who have slaughtered Muslims in Gujrat, Assam. They are openly propagating Hindutva.”
 Geelani had called a meet of religious leaders and civil society members at his Hyderpora residence to release the document Misaak Akoot –signed by  24 heads of religious organization across Kashmir –saying unity will be maintained at any cost and forces who try to harm the struggle of Kashmiri’s and unity will not be tolerated.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 26 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 26 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 27 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST