Says organization’s history reflects peace, dialogue, social reform
SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Molvi Umar Farooq on Friday demanded immediate revocation of ban on the Awami Action Committee (AAC) by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the period of five years.
Addressing the Friday Congregation at Jama Masjid Srinagar today, Mirwaiz as per a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said: “As you are aware the politico social Organization formed by my late father shaheed e millat J&K Awami Action Committee has by an order of the GOI been declared an “illegal association” and banned. The generic allegations made against AAC in the ban order are not only strange but also ironic. Those who suffered personal tragedies yet practised patience and advocated peace even in most trying times, are accused of disrupting law and order and creating unrest. These allegations are unfounded in the face of facts and the party’s glorious history.”
“More than a century ago, Mirwaiz Yousuf Sah RA was instrumental in shaping the political consciousness of repressed Kashmiri’s under the autocratic rule, a baton taken over by shaheed e millat when at a young age became the Mirwaiz and formed the Awami Action Committee in 1964 after the moi muqadas agitation. Shaheed e millat was a visionary and bold leader whose heart beat for the people for their concerns and wellbeing. Throughout his life in every way, he strived for people’s empowerment through religious, social and educational reforms, and initiatives especially stressing on women’s education, their rights and upliftment. He wanted to see people as masters of their destiny, for which he consistently advocated unity, mutual respect among communities and sects, peaceful coexistence and dialogue as the means of moving beyond disagreements.”
“When in 1983 he as president of AAC took the initiative to bury the hatchet and reach out to arch rivals of decades, he was pursuing his vision of strengthening and empowering people through unity and peace. He was opposed to all forms of violence. Something that Kashmir is since witnessing in the last 35 years. And that is the reason why despite the risk, he strongly advocated to the VP Singh Ji’s Govt in power in New Delhi at that time to talk to the young men in Kashmir who had taken up arms and resolve the issue right then He had the moral courage of conviction that made him go against the tide and openly on national media condemn the abduction of the young woman who he said is the daughter of the Kashmir asking the abductors for her immediate release as Islam and humanity totally forbid such cowardly acts. I want to ask those who have banned AAC that is the Organization founded by a man of such principles, a threat to law and order?”
“When the shaheed leader was martyred and I became the head of AAC , do they not remember that this young boy of 16 struck with tragedy and unimaginable grief , standing aloft a truck carrying his father ‘s body ,pleading to people with raised arms and hands clenched gesturing peace and unity ,when the frenzy of emotions and desire for revenge could have led to a civil bloodbath, if this young boy his family and AAC party leaders and activists had not shown tremendous patience and appealed for calm. So how can AAC be a threat to peace when even in such a time it showed such exemplary restraint?”
It is a known fact that AAC has always advocated the politics of outreach, dialogue and resolution. How can those that advocate dialogue be subversive or anti?, he questioned.
“Dialogue in itself means seeking solutions and resolving disagreements by talking in good faith and peace. When Vajpayee ji or Advani ji or Manmohamsingh ji were talking to u it was in good faith. Despite the tragic loss of lone sahab during the talks with them and then my uncle Molvi Mushtaq sahib, the burning down of Islamia high school and grenade attacks at my house, we kept up the good faith and till date despite all odds advocate peaceful engagement. It is a different thing that the present ruling dispensation in New Delhi has a different take on the issue . But that does not make AAC an “unlawful association”.
AAC activists and volunteers are also a strong support system in their localities, involved in help and relief work for the poor and needy and during emergencies such as accidents fires or floods proving aid and assistance. During the floods of 2014 hundreds of its volunteers rescued large thousands of people and later as part of the ikh ikis initiative, volunteered in reconstruction of homes for the displaced. Medical and blood donation camps are also organised by them as are other welfare initiatives, he said.
“Due to its religious association with the Mirwaiz and its social and voluntary service to the community with no ambition for power, people have a lot of respect, a kind of reverence for it, and banning the party has shocked them. So, the decision to ban AAC is harsh and uncalled for and should be revoked,” he said.
I would also like to thank all those people, parties and organisations including from our Kashmiri Pandith and Sikh community who condemned the ban and stand with my party in its truth and in fairness to it, he said. “I would like to thank my dear party men for their selfless support to my late father and then to me and their commitment to people’s rights and welfare. It surely is a tough time for all of us, but by the mercy of Allah, it too shall pass.”