SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq on Friday said the National Conference’s proposed agitation at Jantar Mantar should not remain confined to the demand for restoration of statehood but must also include the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, rights of political prisoners and efforts towards peaceful conflict resolution.
Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz said he had received an invitation from NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah for the Jantar Mantar protest.
He said that after the 2019 changes, Jammu and Kashmir was downgraded into a Union Territory and its constitutional safeguards were “snatched”, leaving people “vulnerable and disempowered”.
Mirwaiz said any sincere effort by political parties, organisations or individuals for the restoration of the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir was the need of the hour.
He said the National Conference government has a responsibility towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who gave it a mandate on the promise of working for the restoration of the region’s pre-2019 status, including 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,” Mirwaiz said.
He added that the demands should also include the rights of political prisoners and youth who, according to him, have been languishing in jails for years without trial or continue to remain incarcerated despite getting bail.
Mirwaiz said the larger objective should be ensuring lasting peace, dignity and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz also paid tributes to the July 13, 1931 martyrs, saying their sacrifice remains “etched in the collective memory” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the 21 Kashmiris killed on July 13, 1931, while demanding basic rights, laid the foundation for the long struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for human rights and dignity.
Recalling the past commemorations, Mirwaiz said the Jama Masjid witnessed the funeral prayers of the martyrs, led by Muhajir-e-Millat Mirwaiz Moulana Muhammad Yusuf Shah and attended by thousands of people.
He said that earlier a peaceful procession was traditionally taken to the Martyrs’ Graveyard to pay homage to them, but claimed that in recent years attempts to commemorate the day have been prevented.
Mirwaiz said if authorities allow, people will proceed to Mazar-e-Shuhada at Naqshband Sahib after Zuhr prayers on July 13 to offer Fatiha and pay tributes.
