Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday said unity among almost all the sections of society in J&K was a “clear and loud message to New Delhi” that the people will not allow any compromise on their political rights.
He said the petitions challenging article 35A in the Supreme Court were actually a “ploy to change the demography of the Muslim majority state”.
Addressing the Friday gathering at the Jamia Masjid here, Mirwaiz said, “Kashmiri people have shown time and again that they can’t be forced into submission and there was no question of compromising state’s political interests.”
He lauded the unity exhibited by traders, transporters, hoteliers, lawyers industrialists, houseboat owners, employees, students, and civil society activists and stated that no power can defeat the people of J&K.
Mirwaiz warned of a strong and sustained agitation in case the Supreme Court announces any decision or ruling aimed at changing or the demographic character of J&K on August 6.
“Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) has already announced a two-day protest and strike program from August 5 and people should follow the same in letter and spirit. Kashmiri people have already made it clear that they can spill their blood and put everything at stake in case Supreme Court ruling goes against our interests,” he said.
Mirwaiz paid rich tributes to the four militants killed in two separate encounters at Kupwara and Sopore saying that New Delhi’s stubbornness and military approach were pushing “our youth to pick up arms.”
“Kashmiri youth are being killed every day and if Delhi believes these repressive measures can weaken the peoples’ resolve in their just struggle it is totally mistaken,” he said. Mirwaiz said the fact remains that these sacrifices further strengthen the peoples resolve in their cause. “But these sacrifices offered by youth cause us great pain,” he said.
Mirwaiz termed the recent announcement of police top brass that peaceful protests against article 35 A petitions would be allowed as “deceitful”. He said JRL leaders were detained on way to Anantnag to participate in peaceful protest there. He said resistance activist Umar Adil was booked under the draconian PSA and shifted to Kathua jail in the darkness of night.
Mirwaiz also strongly denounced the “arbitrary” and continuous caging of aged resistance leader Syed Ali Geelani stating that the veteran leader continues to remain under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence for the past more than eight years. He said Geelani is even not allowed to offer mandatory Friday prayers at the mosque.
Mirwaiz condemned the amendment to draconian PSA “the lawless law” through an ordinance by the Governor led administration stating that the move was aimed to justify shifting of Kashmiri prisoners to outside jails at the will of authorities to cause them more harassment .