When Kashmiris need peace Delhi wants them to celebrate violence: Er Rasheed

Srinagar

Questioning the government circular asking schools to celebrate 29th September as Surgical Strike Day, AIP President, Er Rasheed has said that while Kashmiris are in desperate need of peace, they are being asked to celebrate violence.

In a statement, Er Rasheed said: “Kashmiris have seen death and destruction since the last 30 years as a result of animosity between India and Pakistan. The Kashmiri children have been living in a constant state of fear and uncertainty.”

“They don’t want their land to become an experimental lab or a graveyard of innocents but are just interested in a resolution to Kashmir dispute. Only for political gains, the government is getting indulged in politicizing the educational institutions,” Er Rasheed in a statement said.

He said that rather celebrating ‘Surgical Strike Day’ Delhi should have announced some welfare and developmental measures for the ill-fated victims of border areas whose lives have become miserable and hell due to increasing animosity at the borders.

“Those claiming to have carried surgical strikes on the other side of LoC must answer that if these surgical strikes have brought any relief if not to Kashmiris but at least to government forces,” said Er Rasheed.

“It is the army and the BSF who every day claim that militants are infiltrating from Pakistan and there are launching pads for militants on the other side of LoC, thus negating all the reasons for celebrating the anniversary of Surgical Strikes,” he said.

He added that ordering teachers to organize events of celebrating surgical strike day and then sending videos clips to the higher authorities is unacceptable and reflects a colonial mindset.

Er Rasheed reminded the government of its allegations against pro-resistance groups and others of politicizing the education and said it is high time for Delhi to answer why it is indulging in the same now. He added that these surgical strikes may have benefitted people outside Kashmir but anyone promoting violence is the enemy of Kashmiris and all that Kashmiris want is an end to all animosities and hostilities at the borders so that a conducive atmosphere is created for resolving Kashmir dispute.