KL Report
SRINAGAR
The otherwise ‘divided’ camps of separatist leadership of Kashmir Tuesday presented a different look. In local hotel of Srinagar, major factions of both the Hurriyat’s were seen together sharing the dias during a book launch ceremony.
The book titled “Shaheed Muhammad Afzal Guru Ka Aakhree Paighaam Ahle Eemaan Ke Naam” (The last message of Shaheed Muhammad Aafzal Guru) was released amid reasonable gathering at Hotel Grand Mumtaz, Srinagar,
Compiled by National Front, the book is written by the deceased in Tihar jail where he is buried after being sentenced to gallows over alleged charges of attacking Indian parliament in 2001.
The event had been organized by Jammu Kashmir National Front. Among resistance parties who joined the event and spoke were Jammu Kashmir National Front, Democratic Freedom Party, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Muslim Conference (S), JKLF (H), Mahaz-e-Azadi, Muslim Khawateen Markaz and Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association.
Speaking on the occasion Chairman National Front, Nayeem Ahmad Khan said the event is called for a great purpose. “Shaheed Afzal Guru has not written any elegy, he has written with purpose to inspire nation for the freedom movement and today we are here because of his sacrifice for the nation,” Nayeem said.
“Shaheed Afzal Guru inspired our young generations for taking part in resistance movement,” he added.
While quoting the famous philosopher John Paul Sartre, Nayeem Khan said the violence is necessary for the political health. “We are coming out on streets to demand our birth right to freedom. Shaheed Afzal Guru chose the best way to end his life which served as an inspiration for millions,” Khan said.
Democratic Freedom Party Chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah while criticizing the Government of India over hanging of Muhammad Afzal Guru said the fateful episode was the “worst blot” on the face of India. “They hanged Afzal Guru to scare the freedom loving people of Kashmir but they were unaware that hanging of this great soul will give birth to thousands of Afzal Gurus,” Shah said.
DFP Chairman said history is testimony to the fact that no power in the world ever succeeded in subjugating other nation. Shah while pointing to disintegration of USSR and withdrawal of British imperial forces from subcontinent said the time is not far when India will pack its bags from Jammu and Kashmir. “Truth is power, power is not truth,” Shabir Shah said.
Tehreek-e-Hurriyat General Secretary Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai while speaking on the occasion said the treatment meted out to Muhammad Afzal Guru is the worst kind of treatment meted out to any political prisoner. “There would never be justice to Shaheed Afzal Guru,” he said.
Terming freedom as the gift of God to humanity, Sehrai said the way Afzal chose was the best and great in the eyes of God. “He (Afzal) was having medical degree and could have lived the common life but his heart was filled with the spirit of freedom and today we are here just because of him,” he said.
Terming “ideological uniformity” as the basis for unity among resistance camps, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai said it is possible only when both sides are ideologically similar. “We are ready to unite but not with those who speak double tongues.”
High Court Bar Association member and renowned advocate Ghulam Nabi Shaheen said we need a transfer of ideology from one generation to other. “We have to chart out proper strategy in collaboration.”
“I, being the member of HCBA, am striving for the cause of freedom. We have to ponder over the facts why there are curbs on social networking sites immediately after innocent killings, let us unite for the cause. We’ll either sink or sail together in the same ship,” Shaheen added.
Chairperson Muslim Khawateen Markaz, Zamrooda Habib said today’s message is for intellectuals not for those who share tables with “all”. “We (resistance people) are aware of the plight of prisoners and we know from which phase Shaheed Afzal Guru had to pass,” Zamrooda added.
Others who spoke on the occasion included, noted columnists Dr. Javid Iqbal, Z.G. Muhammad and others.
The event was concluded with screening of a footage depicting martyrs of Valley and resistance movement.
