Cautions Youth Against Delayed Marriages
Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, Wednesday said the government of India had embarked on what he termed as cultural invasion as an instrument to suppress the resistance movement in Kashmir. As a means to halt the onslaught of waywardness and promiscuity, he advised the youth not to delay their marriages and, instead, secure themselves in proper wed-locks.
Geelani said the way forward for Kashmiris was to follow the teachings of Quran in letter and in spirit. He stressed early marriages to preserve the moral fabric of the society. I am not opposed to women education but this can be done even after marriage, he said.
Educational institutions are being used as forums to corrupt the minds of youth in Kashmir. The GoI uses all its resources to divert their attention from the core issue, Geelani said addressing a function at his Hyderpora residence at which he released his latest book, Wular Kay Kinare II (On the banks of Wular Lake).
It is important for a nation to uphold and protect its identity and culture. However, they (GoI) leave no stone unturned to dilute the culture and identity of Kashmiris, he added.
Geelani alleged brain-washing of youth was being done with the active collaboration of some government officials and teachers especially at educational instructions like Kashmir University and Islamic University. This is a deliberate attempt to politicize educational institutions in Kashmir, said Geelani.
The university authorities welcome the corporate honchos in the campus but they fail to understand Tata and Birla are like East India Company. Delhis policy is clear that they want to subjugate us economically as well.
Describing the youth as an asset of the nation, Geelani castigated the state government for invoking draconian Public Safety Act on minors. Kids of the age 13 to 14 years are slapped with PSA and are sent to jails in Jammu. This is how occupation works here, he added.
Geelani condemned the recent attack on 14-year-old schoolgirl, Malala Yusufzai, in Peshawar (Pakistan) by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, terming it as un-Islamic. Attacks like these tarnish the fair image of Islam and we condemn it in strongest words. However, he said, We support Taliban in Afghanistan as they are fighting occupation.
Later, the book was released in presence of writers, lawyers, journalists and families of Kashmir martyrs. The preface of the 686-page book has been written by Pakistan-based head of the Institute of Policy Studies, Prof Khursheed Ahmed.
The book contains detailed accounts of Geelanis meeting with Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah to the offer of prime ministership of Kashmir. It also throws light on Geelanis role as an MLA.
Among others, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai and Gulam Nabi Sumji were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Sehrai said he was witness to most incidents mentioned in the book.
Dr Showkat Shafi said that although Geelani was one of the main critics of Sheikh Abdullah, he had not remained short of praising Sheikhs deeds where deserved.
Noted columnist, Hassan Zaingaeeri, termed Geelani as Meenar-e-Hurriyat and said he was the custodian of the sacrifices offered by the state people. He said Geelani has throughout opposed accession of the state with India even when he was in the assembly. Indian secularism is the biggest fraud of the 20th century, Zainageeri quoted Geelani as having said in the assembly adding the comments were got expunged by the then leader of the House, Mir Qasim.
Speaking on the occasion, Hurriyat spokesman, Ayyaz Akbar, said the book was the story of a Mujahids struggle. While Geelani Sahab was in jail, he wrote Rudaade Qafs and while he was detained at home, he wrote Wular kay Kinaray and both are a gift to the nation.
