Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani on Sunday termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir as ‘mere military operation.
In a statement here Geelani said, “New Delhi has always threatened the people by armed gestures just to weaken our resolve for our basic and legitimate movement.’
“Converting the whole city into an army garrison, curbing and curtailing the movement of common people and then sarcastically labeling the state of Jammu and Kashmir as the crown, is nothing but an attempt to befool the people,” Geelani said.
He said, “Kashmir problem is not an issue of economic deprivation and perks and packages are not a solution to it. It is an issue concerning the basic and fundamental rights of more than 14 million humans- but beating the drum of development as the only remedy for all the issues—looks unrealistic.”
He said that announcing these mega projects overjoyed class of local politicians who are “more loyal than the king.” “They should bear in mind that Delhi has been perpetrating these political dramas for the past 7 decades, but has miserably failed to win the hearts of Kashmiris,” Geelani said.
He said, “When our life and livelihood are not safe and when our basic rights are drained, when more than 10 lakh armed forces are threatening us, economic empowerment and mega projects lose the worth. When our life and honour are at stake, good living has no value.”
Referring to the PM’s call asking youth to join mainstream, Geelani said, “It is the arrogance and military might of the oppressor which has forced our nation to the unending bloodbath and economic destabilization, otherwise our people are peace loving. We can flourish both politically as well as economically and will not only be self sufficient, but can extend a helping hand to the needy people also.”
“Highly qualified and well placed professionals are up in arms against New Delhi’s control as their long and bitter experience of subjugation is enough to make them understand that their life, livelihood, honour, culture, faith and dignity — nothing is safe and we are left with no option then to strive and struggle to fight for our existence,” Geelani said, adding that even New Delhi has realized that despite giving economic perks and using unparalleled force, it has not been able to win the hearts of Kashmiris.