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| “Do not meddle in policy matters” | | KPs take exception to Grand Mufti's remarks | | Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, July 3: Grand Mufti, Mufti Bashir-ud-Din Ahmad's criticism of National Democratic Alliance Government's plan of rehabilitating the Kashmiri Pandits in colonies in the Kashmiri valley has drawn flak from the members of Kashmiri Pandit community.
Kashmiri Pandits have asked the Grand Mufti to concentrate on religion and not to indulge in matters where he does not have any mandate. They expressed dismay over Grand Mufti's opinion over the permanent return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley.
"Mufti Bashir-ud-Din is a religious personality and he should not indulge into matters of political importance. The return of Kashmiri Pandits is a policy matter and decision in this regard has to be taken by the Government and the concerned stake holders. With Kashmiri Pandits being concerned stake holders, there is no scope for people like Mufti Bashir to say anything on this issue," said Bharat Raina, Chairman Kashmir Temple Caring Committee (KTCC).
Raina said that Kashmiri Pandits do not need any certificate or permission from people like Mufti Bashir to resettle in Kashmir and that nobody would be allowed to influence the overall point of view of the community members. He said it is the wish of the Kashmiri Pandits whether to live in dedicated colonies or amongst the members of majority community.
"Why was Mufti Bashir silent when 219 members of Kashmiri Pandit community got killed at the hands of gunmen when militancy began in 1990? In addition many houses of Kashmiri Pandits got looted and the temples were desecrated by the miscreants. Mufti Bashir never uttered a word against all these acts and now he is criticizing the return plan of Kashmiri Pandits," said KTCC Chairman.
Raina alleged that Mufti Bashir wants to remain in news and it is due to this reason only that he is criticizing the plan of Central Government for the permanent return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley. He said that Grand Mufti also never talked about the condition of 276 temples of Kashmir that have been turned into garbage dumping sites and also are being used for anti-social activities especially drug addiction.
"It is the same Mufti Bashir who castigated a group of girls who formed a music group in Srinagar saying that music is forbidden in Islam. Next day the Mufti was enjoying to the tunes of band during a musical programme held inside a houseboat in Dal Lake. He has always resorted to double standards and we would not allow him to have a say as for as return of Kashmiri Pandits is concerned," said Raina.
The KTCC Chairman said that Kashmiri Pandits has a whole support of the policies and programmes of Narendra Modi led NDA Government vis-a-vis permanent return of Kashmiri Pandits to Valley. He said the community members would welcome the steps being taken by Modi for their return to the Kashmir valley.
Earlier, in the day Mufti Bashir-ud-Din Ahmad while addressing a press conference here said that the settlement of Kashmiri Pandits in colonies after their return to Valley is a political conspiracy. Mufti Bashir warned of protests in the Valley if the Central Government went ahead of its plan for setting up dedicated colonies for the Kashmiri Pandits. |
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