SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Thursday welcomed the government’s decision to allow Muharram procession on the traditional route in Srinagar passing through Lal Chowk after a period of three decades.
He also sought permission for allowing Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid and also demanded Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s release from house arrest.
Omar made these comments while speaking to the media at the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha in Srinagar. “We welcome this decision of allowing 8th Muharram procession but it should not be a stand-alone decision. We are now hopeful that years-long incarceration of Kashmir’s prominent religious figure Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will also end so that he is able to perform his religious duty by leading the Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid, Srinagar.
Allowing Eid prayers at Eidgah and holding commemorative functions at Mazar-e-Shuhada would also go a long way in restoring the confidence among the people, Omar said.
Responding to a question about elections in Jammu & Kashmir, the former CM said, “In the present scenario, they (BJP) will never get seats. If elections are held today they would probably not even cross ten seats.”
“Their political future is linked to how best they can divide voters in Jammu & Kashmir. And that’s what they’re doing. But let elections come. I’m sure you will find that the people of J&K are much wiser. They will not allow these sorts of conspiracies to divide them,” he added—(KNO)
