Srinagar, July 13 (Scoop News)-Paying rich tributes to the martyrs of 1931 for their pioneering contribution to political emancipation of Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Saturday said it was an irony that the day marking a glorious milestone in the history of the state was observed under severe restrictions and total strike.
Talking to media persons at the martyrs’ graveyard in the shrine premises of Khwaja Naqshband sahib (RA), Mufti said this certainly must not have been the dream of those who offered the ultimate sacrifice for the liberation of the state from the feudal and autocratic rule.
PDP patron earlier laid wreaths on the graves of the martyrs. He was accompanied by senior party leaders, Tariq Hameed Qarra, Qazi Mohammad Afzal, district president Srinagar, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Nisar Ah Mandoo Khursheed Aalam and Abdul Hameed Guroo.Showkat Goyoor Nazir Ah Yatoo Hundreds of party workers including Showkat Hafiz, Sheikh Firdous Ahmad also participated in the Fateh and commemoration services.
Mufti said it is brazen violation of democratic norms that political leaders had been imprisoned in their homes to prevent them from paying tributes to the martyrs. He said it was condemnable that the present government had almost completely suspended civil liberties and fundamental right to expression. “We can’t claim to be a democracy as long as we have to resort to draconian laws and illegal methods to suppress the voices that government of the day does not like or does not have the capacity to engage and address politically,” he said and added the government is unable to face any occasion without resorting to force and illegal restrictions. “Be it a Friday, Ramzan, Eid, a VIP visit or any other special occasion the insecure government resorts to imprisoning the entire population and arresting political leaders” said Mufti.
Stressing that full democratic space should be ensured to all political leaders subscribing to any political thought or ideology, Mufti said dictatorial methods adopted by the government would lead nowhere except complicating the problems and adding to mistrust, alienation and anger.
He said during the brief period of PDP-led coalition no prisoners were taken, no leaders were put under house arrest and there was no law and order problem, which is cited by the present government as reason for curtailing the freedom of its political opponents. “If we could run the state without resorting to PSA and other draconian methods, it is not understandable as to why the present govt is denying fundamental rights of expression and movement to political leaders of all kinds,” said Mufti.
In reply to a question about the controversy over the latest remarks of Narendra Modi, Mufti said the Gujarat chief minister can’t escape the responsibility for the massacre of 2002. He said the latest remarks of Modi only add insult to injury as they are grossly insensitive and indecent and would certainly offend a great majority of the people in the country. He said Modi instead of trying to make amends for his performance during the riots could further polarize the situation through his insensitive remarks.
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