Srinagar: On the occasion of Juma-tul-vida the largest congregation was held at historic Jama Masjid Srinagar where thousands of people thronged the mosque. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq delivered a special sermon on the occasion. Post the Majlis Waz oTableeg, Mirwaiz talked about the current situation in the valley in the light of recent developments.
Mirwaiz said that as the flip-flop continues, what we are observing is not so much a change of heart of the rulers but rather a change of strategy forced upon them by the change in circumstances. Mirwaiz said the policy of extreme “repression” was pursued as a state policy since BJP came to power in New Delhi four years ago which was a complete departure from the way previous BJP regime led by Vajpayee.
An all-out assault was launched on people in all fronts militarily legally economically or through plans of demographic change. Article 370, 35 A challenged in Indian courts, GST implemented in defiance of special status and laws of the state pushing of SARFESAI act, separate settlements for certain communities along Israeli pattern of settlements, Viscous and negative propaganda on Kashmir to cripple the economy by dissuading outsiders to come here was part of the plan. Regular Arrest and detention of leadership and the NIA harassment. On the military front, an all-out offensive was launched by the name of operation all out in which hundreds of civilians were also killed besides killing armed youth. It was actually operation “wipe out” of Kashmiri’s as men women young or old were not spared. Even lactating mothers were killed. On LOC more belligerences were adopted escalating the situation.
All this was pursued in partnership with willing local collaborators who to stay on to chair provided a buffer for these policies and helped carry them out, backstabbing those who had reposed some faith in them in electing them.
Mirwaiz said for the past 30 years, in particular, Kashmiri’s are facing this situation but it worsened in the last four yrs of the BJP PDP rule when the harshest of measures were tried and tested. Mirwaiz said it is the failure of this harsh policy and the resultant international pressure that today we see the “softening” in their stand. It’s the change in circumstance rather than a change of heart.
