United Jihad Council chairman Syed Salahuddin Wednesday said that he cannot forsake the Kashmir cause for the sake of his family. He said that his children were being repeatedly subjected to “oppression and suppression by Indian authorities” because of his involvement in the ongoing Kashmir movement, reports said.

“I can’t help them at this very crucial juncture and for them, I can’t even think of betraying the Kashmir cause for which hundreds of thousands of Kashmiri youth have sacrificed their lives,” Salahuddin, chief of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, was quoted by a local newspaper.

 “After choosing this path 28 years ago, I bade adieu to my family. I have absolutely no role in the upbringing and education of my children,” he said, adding: “Whatever they are (today) and wherever they stand is the result of their individual efforts,”

On a question, whether he had any contacts with his children in Kashmir, he said: “Our telephonic talks remain confined within the limits of just inquiring about the well being of family members,” he said.

The Hizb chief termed the NIA raid on his house and the subsequent arrest of his son and summoning of his grandson to Delhi as an act of “vengeance”.

“I just advise my family to demonstrate patience and turn to Allah Almighty and seek his blessings in these testing times,” he added.

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