Azadi camp in Kashmir does not have a global agenda and has nothing to do with the Daesh and its ideology, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai told Greater Kashmir in an exclusive interview soon after succeeding Syed Ali Shah Geelani as the new Tehreek-i-Hurriyat chairman.
“Some elements are creating confusion among masses by raising ISIS flags at the funeral of militants. We have kept a close watch on them, and will soon chart out a plan to stop them after TeH elections,” Sehrai said, citing the hoisting of ISIS flags at the funeral of Soura youth Muhammad Eisa Fazili.
Sehrai, however, expressed concern over the “ISIS thinking” finding resonance among a section of youth. “It could be the handiwork of agencies keen to defame the Kashmir movement and undermine its indigenous character,” he said. “Our agenda is simple. We only want Kashmir to be free from Indian occupation. Nothing else”.
Hurriyat leader said that there was no role in Kashmir for the organisations with an international agenda.
“Daesh and Al-Qaida have nothing to do with our movement and we will never accept them,” Sehrai said. He urged youth not to get swayed by the extremist ideology and understand Islam in its correct perspective.
“Some youth are influenced by ISIS ideology, but I appeal to them not to go to extremes and read Islamic books, the Quran, and the hadith, and see what rules and regulations Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has laid down for war. Then they must decide for themselves as to what is right and what is wrong.”
Sehrai said he was pained by the events at the funeral of Eisa Fazili. “These things are unacceptable. Mysterious forces are creating chaos among the masses. Youth have to maintain discipline in the freedom movement,” he said. “Those raising ISIS flags are strengthening the roots of occupation in Kashmir. India directly benefits by this. These youth tell the world that we are extremists and deserve to be killed”.
Talking about Zakir Musa, chief of Ansar Gazwat-ul-Hind, Sehrai said Musa had sacrificed everything for Kashmir cause. “Zakir Musa is the light of my eyes. He left everything for the sacred cause. But I want to tell him that by moving towards extremism he was doing India a favour.”
Read full interview in the next issue of Kashmir Ink