Srinagar, March 02: Terming the banning of Jamaat-e-Islami as the ‘worst coercive and arbitrary measure’ by the government, Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Geelani has asked People to pursue a ‘collective narrative’ for safeguarding the basic fundamental rights.
In a press release issued here, Geelani said that he decision was on the patterns of ‘Zionist’ ideology and warned that in absence of any defiance the ‘onslaught’ would continue until people are kicked out of their residences the way the Israeli Zionists have done in Palestine.
While condemning the order and terming it as ‘unethical and undemocratic’ act by the government, Hurriyat chairman further said that banning a properly recognized and registered party was a blot on the face of ‘Indian democracy’.
Stating that such ‘coercive and arbitrary measures’ had been tried earlier as well, Geelani refered to 1975, when India, during emergency, had banned Jamaat-e-Islami and arresting thousands of its leaders and workers. “But time has proved it beyond any doubt that those on the path of justice and righteousness can never be cowed down by such repressive measures,” Geelani was quoted as saying.
Equaling the banning of Jamaat-e-Islami to waging a war against the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Geelani said that the government had resorted to repressive tactics by arresting the leaders and workers of Jamaat-e-Islami, confiscating the properties belonging to its leaders, snatching vehicles and even sealing their residences rendering them homeless in their own homeland. “India has been following the footsteps of its mentor and partner in crime- Israel- as both play historical victimhood at the hands of Muslims and both are cunning and cruel to their core. India is the biggest purchaser of Israeli arms and ammunition, being used in Kashmir and Pakistan. Indian government has already put their point-man on the governing spot to take the mission along and now they have started to achieve their targets one by one,” Geelani blamed.
Meanwhile Geelani expressed his heartfelt condolences to people who lost their lives in tragic road mishaps at Udhampur and Kishtwar. About 13 people lost their life and dozens got injured.
In a separate press release, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Chairman, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai strongly condemned the authorities for sealing what he termed as ‘government recognised schools’ run by ‘Falah-E-Aam’ Trust that teaches syllabus prescribed by the BOSE, a government authority. He also condemned the seizing of houses of several Jammat-i-Islami members terming such measures ‘unconstitutional and undemocratic’.
In the press release Sehrai further said that these ‘unethical’ acts were a glaring example of Govt.’s highhandedness undermining the democratic principles and values which the government claims across the world.
“Sealing educational institutions and other assets including the houses of Jamaat-i-Islami leaders and its members is inhuman and unethical and will further deteriorate the situation and doesn’t go well,” Sehrai added.
