news details |
|
|
| Mirwaiz does a somersault over Kousarnag, says Kashmiri Pandits must carry pilgrimage | | | Saahil Suhail
SRINAGAR, Aug 12: Taking a 'U' Turn, chairman of Moderate faction of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Monday said that they were never against the pilgrimage of Kashmiri Pandits to Kousarnag situated in South Kashmir's Kulgam area.
"Communal elements are hell bent to create 2008 like situation in Jammu and Kashmir for the political benefits," Mirwaiz told a gathering while addressing a seminar at Hurriyat headquarters in Rajbagh Srinagar.
"Regarding Kousarnag yatra issue, our only concern was that the Reasi district administration had decided to divert all the Vaishno Devi pilgrims to the destination which could have serious affects on ecology and environment of the area as the number of pilgrims visiting Katra is over 90 lakh," Mirwaiz had told the gathering.
He said, "Kashmir Pandits are stake holders of this land like we are, so we were never against their pilgrimage to Kousarnag." Adding Pandits must come back and should carry out their pilgrimage like they were doing in past.
However, Mirwaiz cautioned Pandit community to remain distant from the communal elements of their community that are hell bent to create 2008 like situation in the state and must not allow them for politicizing their aspirations.
Mirwaiz said that return of Kashmiri Pandits can't affect the resolution of Kashmir issue or the ongoing freedom struggle. He criticized Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and said that they were trying to divide Kashmir on communal lines.
"We have always welcomed return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, but in the name of their rehabilitation BJP is trying to disintegrate Kashmir instead of integrating it. These forces are trying to create 2008-like situation here by instilling religious hatred among the two communities," said Mirwaiz.
Welcoming the proposed talks between India and Pakistan and demanded a composite dialogue on Kashmir issue between the two neighboring countries and genuine leadership of Kashmiri leadership.
Pertinently, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq along with other separatist leaders including hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani opposed the Yatra of Kashmiri Pandits to Kousarnag proposed earlier this month due to which Omar Abdullah Government succumbed before them, resulting conciliation of Kousarnag Yatra. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
