‘Include restoration of Art 370, 35A, political prisoners’ rights’
SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, while addressing the congregation at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, said that any agitation at Jantar Mantar cannot be limited to the restoration of statehood alone, but must include the restoration of all “seized” safeguards and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including Articles 370 and 35A, the rights of political prisoners, and peaceful conflict resolution.
Mirwaiz shared that he has received an invitation from National (NC) Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah for the agitation at Jantar Mantar. He said that after the 2019 unilateral changes, the State of Jammu and Kashmir was downgraded to a Union Territory and its constitutional safeguards snatched from the people, leaving them vulnerable and disempowered.
“Any effort by any political alliance, organisation, or individuals working for the restoration of the usurped rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, if based on sincerity, is the need of the hour,” Mirwaiz said, adding that it is the foremost responsibility of the NC government towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who gave it a mandate on the clear promise that, once elected, it would revive the pre-2019 status of J&K, including restoration of statehood and Articles 370 and 35A.
“The agitation cannot be limited to the restoration of statehood, but has to be for all the seized safeguards and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. In fact, it should include the rights of our political prisoners and youth languishing in jails for years without trial or continued incarceration despite getting bail, and for people’s longing for lasting peace and life with dignity by conflict resolution,” he added.
Mirwaiz also paid tribute to the July 13 martyrs, saying,“13th July is a day when we recount the sacrifice of 21 innocent Kashmiris who were shot dead on this day 95 years ago in 1931 for demanding basic rights.” He said that if authorities allow this year, on 13th July, as per tradition, after Zuhr prayers, they will collectively go to “Mazar-e-Shuhada”Naqshband Sahib to offer Fatiha and pay tributes to the martyrs.