SRINAGAR: Days after the Al-Qaeda threat made headlines in Kashmir, chief priest of Kashmir Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday remarked that Kashmir problem is not about waging Jihad as the same is a political problem and not a religious one.
As a religious head, I will say the problem of Kashmir is not religious; it is not a problem of Hindus vs Muslims; or Muslim Kashmir vs a Hindu India. It is a political problem. It is not about waging jihad. The problem has religious undertones, but its a political problem, said Mirwaiz during an interview with a national newspaper.
Mirwaiz added, Our position is that there must be an attempt to reunify all five regions not just the areas under Indian control but also those under Pakistani control, he said.
About Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs visit to India during the swearing in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi, Mirwaiz said that he personally approached Pakistans High Commissioner in New Delhi and requested him not to arrange any meeting with the separatists at this juncture. Let Pakistan and India take the (peace) process forward. We dont want to play spoilsport, that everyone says Pakistan and India met for a special occasion and now Hurriyat has come and spoiled the occasion, he said.
Kashmirs chief religious cleric stated that he doesnt want people to die on the streets and that the ongoing resistnace movement has been graduated from violence to non-violence. The fact is you might not see protests, but this movement has graduated to a level where it is defined in the psychology and soul of every Kashmiri.
Mirwaiz maintained further, Kashmiris have to protest all the time and get killed just to convey the message that everything is not normal. By this mindset, New Delhi is pushing people to the wall. They are telling the pro-freedom parties that there should be militancy and protests again. But we dont want people to die.
He stated that the UPA government has had the lot of opportunities to resolve Kashmir but all time at that time was wasted with the divide being strengthened further between Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
They had many opportunities, with Pakistan, with leaders here to move forward. Cross-LoC initiatives could have been built up, but rather than that, its more a politics of division. Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh are at loggerheads with each other. Mirwaiz stated that Huriyat can be a bridge vis-à-vis Delhi-Srinagar-Islamabad if India wants to reach out and that when a positive start has been made by the Pakistan, Delhi- Srinagar trust deficit must be addressed and holistic approach be taken.
Meanwhile Mirwaiz condemned the restrictions imposed on Jamia Masjid in a bid to stop people from offering their first Friday Ramzaan prayers, Hurriyat Conference M Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who has been placed under house arrest since early morning, stated that when entire Muslim Ummah was busy in worship, the biggest religious centre of Kashmir was kept forcibly out of bound for the Kashmiris-a highly regrettable and unacceptable move in the sacred month.
According to a statement , while terming the restrictions laid on peaceful activities of political leaders as extremely aggressive, Mirwaiz stated that policy of repression and coercion would not prove to be helpful for creating a favorable atmosphere towards solution of Kashmir issue. He stated Kashmir has been turned into a military garrison in the wake of the visit of Indian Prime Minister, adding, it should become an eye opener for the Indian leadership to gauge the ground realities existing in Kashmir.
Reiterating that lingering Kashmir issue was a danger for peace in south Asia, He stated that it is a reality that economic progress and regional stability are connected to the solution of Kashmir issue. He stated that till the dispute is not solved in its proper historical perspective, political rights of Kashmiris are not recognized and till the meaningful steps are not take to take the talks forward, tension and instability would continue to rule the region.
Mirwaiz stated that the complete shutdown in Kashmir on the arrival of Indian prime minister clearly reflects where the emotions and aspirations of people lie. He stated that instead of suppressing the prevalent sentiments, the government of India should show political courage to solve the issue. APHC Chairman thanked people for observing complete strike and said people once again showed their unwavering commitment and resolve towards freedom struggle.
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