Walks to party office after being denied escort vehicles by police
Srinagar July 13 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah Thursday said the present situation in J&K is typical of the undemocratic and autocratic times of 1931 against which the 1931 martyrs sacrificed their lives.
According to a statement issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), reads that, Calling out the myopic and communal actions of the incumbent government, Omar said, “It's difficult to say how the situation was back then in the 1930s. One thing that's common is the absence of democratic government. Our struggle today is the same. The present day rulers have left the monarchy well behind in their unquenchable thirst to disempower the people of J&K. We must be inspired from the spirit that was nurtured and sown by the martyrs in 1931 and resolve to rise above self to carry forward their sacred mission.”
In an unprecedented turn of events, Omar Abdullah who after being denied escort vehicles by police administration, left his Gupkar residence on foot and walked all the way to party office Nawa e Subah early morning.
Earlier in the day several leaders including party General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, senior leaders Abdul Rahim Rather, Sakina Itoo, Chaudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Ali Muhammad Dar and others were not allowed by police to come out of their residences to attend the commemorative function at the party headquarters.
The commemorative ceremony at the party headquarters started with the recitation from the Holy Quran and Naat Rasool Maqbool (SAW).
Omar Abdullah in his address said, “The position taken by the incumbent union Government in SC is contrary to the situation on ground. They claim everything is fine, there is peace and prosperity all around, people are happy. There is freedom of expression and movement. But the tactics employed by the government to stop us from paying our respect at the Martyrs graveyard lay bare the reality. Had the situation been as is claimed by the government then we would have been allowed to move out of our houses and go to Naqshband Sahib to offer our tributes to 1931n martyrs.”
Questioning the dichotomy of the government's attitude, Omar asked why people of Kashmir aren't allowed to pay respects to those who fought for our rights. “If people in other parts of the country can venerate and offer tributes to freedom fighters for their sacrifice, why cannot we recall the gallant sacrifice of our freedom fighters? Had our freedom fighters been non-Muslims, then the incumbent governor would have rushed to the martyrs graveyard to offer tributes,” he said.
The NC Vice President said, “Kashmir martyrs of 1931 also gave sacrifices against despotic rule and to get justice and freedom for their people. 13th July is our national day. These people have also cancelled the official functions here and cancelled the holiday as well. Such measures reeks of bigotry. Malice is indicated when we are prevented from visiting the martyrs' graveyard and all this is being done because the current rulers make all the decisions based on religion. The fact is that those who were martyred in 1931 were Muslims and the one against whom the movement was going on was a non-Muslim, that is why they cannot digest it.”
While speaking on SCs decision to begin hearing on petitions challenging abrogation of Art 370, he said, “There is no doubt that our case is strong and, God willing, we will vigorously fight the case and achieve success and try our best to bring justice to the people here.”
The NC vice president said that when our rulers travel abroad, they talk about democracy all over the world but when it comes to reviving democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, it is evaded. “If everything is normal in J&K then what's holding them back from restoring a democratically elected government in J&K. The truth is that BJP does not have the guts to go in front of people. If elections are held in Jammu and Kashmir on today's date, BJP will not get more than 10 seats.”
Additional General Secretary Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Party Treasurer Shammi Oberoi, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, MP Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi, Senior Leaders Sharifuddin Shariq, Mubarak Gul, Shameema Firdous, Political Advisors Mushtaq Guroo, Mudassar Shahmiri, South Zone president Dr Bashir Veeri, State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, Additional State Spokesperson Sara Hayat Shah, VP Province Ahsan Pardesi, District Presidents Peer Afaq, Dr Sajjad Shafi, Gh Mohiuddin Mir, GR Naaz, party leaders Abdul Majeed Larmi, Riyaz Khan, Women’s Wing PP Sabiya Qadri, Minority Wing organizer Sardar JS Azad, Additional Spokesperson Sheikh Ovaise were present in the meeting.(KNS)