KL Report
SRINAGAR
The attacks on Aam Admi Party (AAP) in Delhi on Wednesday evoked strong condemnation from the separatists’ camp, with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) asking BJP and other right wing parties to initiate a debate on Kashmir issue.
Talking to KNS, Mirwaiz remarked: “That attacks on AAP leaders and its headquarter in Delhi is unfortunate. These attacks have deflated Indian claims of being a tolerant, secular and a democratic country.”
He said these attacks are not something new to the separatists in Kashmir as whenever they tried to highlight the Kashmir issue in outside Jammu and Kashmir, they faced the same incidents everywhere. “What is shocking is that rightwing parties want to close their eyes when it comes to Kashmir. This is vindicated by the attacks being carried out on any Indian who tries to express his personal opinion on Kashmir.”
Mirwaiz told KNS that rightwing parties in India want to browbeat the saner voices who give vent to their feelings on Kashmir. “But let me make it clear to these rightwing parties including BJP that brow beating will not stop us seeking settlement of Kashmir issue. Instead I want these rightwing parties including BJP to initiate a debate on Kashmir which where they can freely put their viewpoint. It hardly matters if you don’t agree with a particular viewpoint,” the Mirwaiz observed.
Shabir Ahmad Shah, senior Hurriyat Conference leader and president Democratic Freedom Party told KNS that India’s claims of being a secular and democratic country have been deflated by the attacks being carried out on AAP for Prashant Bhushan’s remarks on referendum in Kashmir.
“The attacks being carried out by the right wing nationalists do it for their vote bank politics. But one wonders on Indian claims of being a thorough secular and democratic country is not ready to digest few words of Prashant Bhsuhan, Arundhati Roy or Gautum Navlkaha. This way, one can understand that India is heading towards extremism and intolerance. If Bhushan, Roy or Navlakha despite being Indians to the core can face the wrath for expressing their viewpoint, what must be happening with Kashmiris? People of Indian should understand this reality,” Shah observed.
Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Senior Hurriyat Conference leader and chairman Jammu and Kashmir National Front told KNS, that sensible sections in India should realize that Kashmir is a problem which needs to be addressed. “People in India should not see Kashmir through the prism of Pakistan or for that matter a law and order problem. They should realize that it is the matter of long pending political aspirations of people who are suffering for want of right to self determination.”
On attacks on AAP office, Khan said that India seems becoming an extremist state where extremist forces are calling shots. “This is why the saner voices in India should take notice of this kind of a situation and fulfill their duty towards their nation,” Khan, the senior Hurriyat Conference leader observed.
However, for Hurriyat Conference (G), attack on AAP office and leaders is insignificant as far as their Bhushan’s remarks on Kashmir are concerned. Ayaz Akbar, chief spokesman of Hurriyat (G) told KNS that AAP has double standards on Kashmir issue. “All political parties in India are alike when it comes to Kashmir issue.” “Earlier Bushan termed Kashmir as a disputed territory and after acquiring power he has said Kashmir is India’s integral part. Why should we waste time in commenting over these attacks which are being carried out by fascists in India,” Akbar told KNS.
He stated further that the attacks carried out at Bushan are the personal matters of Delhi and that Kashmir’s pro-freedom leadership has no say over the issue. “It is being said that he was tacked due to the comments he made about Kashmir but there seems no remarks that could be termed worthier for the people here. We want to remind AAP and Mr Bushan that Kashmir was never India’s integral part. ”
