Srinagar: Separatist leader and Chairman Hurriyat (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday said the government of the day is pushing youth to the wall by using coercive measures against them. 

“The government is pushing youth towards militancy by throwing them into jails and not letting them to express themselves,” he said while addressing a Friday congregation in the Jamia Masjid.

“The youth are pushed to the wall and the genuine activities of political leadership are not allowed by their repeated house confinement or arrests,” he said.

The Mirwaiz, who is also the Chief Cleric said that the government is trying to promote tourism in Kashmir by opening a liquor shop at the airport.

“This is highly condemnable and a shameful act on part of the ruling party,” he said.

Addressing Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid after five weeks, Mirwaiz said that they won’t allow at any cost such acts.

“Everyone wants tourism but not at the cost of our sentiments and religious belief,” he said.

 Mirwaiz talked tough over the promotion of liquor in Kashmir saying the government has been playing a dirty game. “We won’t allow such acts here in the name of tourism,” he said.

 He said the government is living in fool’s paradise if it thinks that by imposing restrictions it would stop the pulpit of Jamia Masjid from raising the voice of suppressed.

“The Old City has been turned into a military fortress. We condemn such acts that government even denies us our religious rights,” he said.

Mirwaiz termed the repeated restrictions in the entire downtown and not allowing the Friday prayers at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar as ‘the expression of frustration and dictatorial attitude’ of the rulers.

After remaining under house confinement and prevented from offering Friday prayers for past five consecutive weeks, Mirwaiz was today allowed to address the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid Srinagar.

He said the pulpit of Jama Masjid has always been representing the political and socio-religious sentiments and aspirations of the Kashmiris and it will continue, in spite of restrictions, till the Kashmir issue is resolved in accordance wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

He said Jammu Kashmir has practically been converted into a police state and the voice of people is being strangulated by the use of force and repression.

Guest