Srinagar, Mar 15 : Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said that as the Mirwaiz, it is his duty to highlight the reality and truth about Kashmir issue.
“Our struggle is not directed against the people of India or the Indian state, but against the repressive means and military approach against the people of Kashmir since 1947,” Mirwaiz said while delivering Friday sermon at the historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar where prayers were allowed after two weeks.
Mirwaiz Kashmir dispute is the oldest outstanding issue in the United Nations and the issue precedes the Partition of India. “Since 1931, the people of Kashmir and its leadership have been giving immense sacrifices for the cause. Since 1947, we have been demanding that the commitments made by India and Pakistan to the people of Kashmir which are vetted by the international community should be fulfilled,” he said.
Mirwaiz said since past several decades, the pulpit of the Jamia Masjid has been highlighting the people’s rights and aspirations and will continue to do so in future also. The pulpit will continue to always represent people’s aspirations and call for a peaceful settlement to Kashmir dispute, he said.
Hurriyat (M) chairman said the present political establishment in India is launching crackdowns, making arrests and issuing summons, slapping PSA and sending political and religious leaders and cadre to jails to suppress the voice of the people of Kashmir.
These things are not new to us and we have been experiencing this assault for decades now, he said.
“The resistance leadership has made it clear at the international forum including United Nations and OIC that the Kashmir issue needs to be resolved politically. But a deliberate attempt is being made to obfuscate facts and our history of struggle through propaganda of the Indian state, particularly through the media which has vitiated the atmosphere against Kashmiris creating hostility against us. Anybody speaking about the resolution of the Kashmir issue is branded as anti-national and thereby a terrorist,” he said.
Mirwaiz urged upon the people of Kashmir to forge unity at “this crucial hour” and asked the youth to stand firm, calm and peaceful. He said the leadership was clear and committed to its stand on Kashmir.
Mirwaiz also strongly condemned the dastardly terror attack on the two mosques in New Zealand where over at least 49 people were killed and dozens injured.
“Muslims across the globe are being made targets by Islamophobic anti-Muslim forces,” Mirwaiz said.
