KL Report
SRINAGAR
A sixteen member delegation from Mumbai Press Club called upon Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Sunday at his Nigeen residence. The journalists representing prominent media organizations like PTI, HT, and others were among the delegates.
A statement issued by the amalgam said that during the meet with the journalists, Mirwaiz stressed upon the visiting delegates to give prominent space and help in weeding out the negative propaganda promoted by the state among the Indian people regarding Kashmir in their respective media outlets. He told them Kashmir was neither a regional issue, nor a religious one, adding, it was a political and human issue which should be addressed in that particular context.
Mirwaiz stated, “it was extremely unfortunate that government was spreading misleading information among people regarding Kashmir dispute and presenting it as a Pakistan sponsored problem.” In reality, Mirwaiz told the visiting journalists, “Kashmir issue was a living reality for which people have rendered innumerable sacrifices.”
The chief cleric suggested journalists to meet common people in Kashmir to know their opinion, adding, they should try hard to know the realities attached to Kashmir dispute and present those very facets them before the people of India as they are.
“Change in government or faces have no bearing on Kashmir dispute. The need of the hour is that emotions and aspirations of Kashmiris should be considered and a realistic thinking and approach should be adopted to move forward and initiate a meaningful dialogue between India, Pakistan and Kashmiris to solve the vexed dispute,” Mirwaiz told the delegation.
Stressing that Kashmir were not against Indian people, Mirwaiz stated that they wanted economic progress in the region, adding, for that to happen, it was imperative to solve the Kashmir issue- a constant source of tension in South Asia.
Appealing the visiting journalists to deliver the duties professionally by highlighting the human and political dimensions of the Kashmir dispute, Mirwaiz stated that civil rights of Kashmiri people have been usurped by the state. He said that religious, political and social activities of leaders have been restricted, adding, curfews, undeclared curfews, killings and rights violations are the order of day.
