Examiner Bureau |Srinagar:
Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq on Friday said the National Conference’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar should not be limited to the demand for the restoration of statehood but should also seek the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, the rights of political prisoners and a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir conflict.
Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar, Mirwaiz said he had received an invitation from National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah to participate in the proposed protest.
Referring to the constitutional changes of August 2019, Mirwaiz said Jammu and Kashmir was downgraded to a Union Territory and its constitutional safeguards were removed, leaving the people “vulnerable and disempowered.”
He said any sincere effort by political parties, organisations or individuals aimed at restoring the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir was the need of the hour.
Mirwaiz said the National Conference government had a responsibility towards the people, who had given it a mandate on the promise of working for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s pre-2019 constitutional status, including statehood and the reinstatement of Articles 370 and 35A.
“The agitation cannot be limited to the restoration of statehood, but has to be for all the seized safeguards and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He added that the demands should also include the rights of political prisoners and youths who, according to him, have remained in jail for years without trial or continue to be incarcerated despite being granted bail.
Mirwaiz said the broader objective should be to secure lasting peace, uphold the dignity of the people and work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Paying tributes to the July 13, 1931 martyrs, Mirwaiz said their sacrifice remains “etched in the collective memory” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the 21 Kashmiris who were killed on July 13, 1931, while demanding basic rights, laid the foundation for the region’s long struggle for human rights and dignity.
Recalling past commemorations, Mirwaiz said the funeral prayers of the martyrs were held at Jama Masjid under the leadership of Muhajir-e-Millat Mirwaiz Moulana Muhammad Yusuf Shah and were attended by thousands of people.
He also said that, in earlier years, a peaceful procession was traditionally taken out to the Martyrs’ Graveyard to pay homage to those killed, but alleged that such commemorations have been prevented in recent years.
Mirwaiz said that, if permitted by the authorities, people would proceed to Mazar-e-Shuhada at Naqshband Sahib after Zuhr prayers on July 13 to offer Fatiha and pay tributes to the martyrs.
