Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday met with religious leaders and civil society members here to discuss the situation arising in the wake of the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel airstrike, following which the participants collectively appealed for peace.
The meeting also condemned the killing of Khamenei and offered prayers and condolences, an official press release informed.
“The Chief Minister today interacted with religious leaders and members of civil society in Srinagar in light of recent developments in West Asia. The participants expressed concern over the situation and conveyed their condolences over the loss of lives in Iran,” the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said in a post on X.
During the meeting, Abdullah emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir. While acknowledging the people’s grief, he urged that “expressions of grief and mourning remain peaceful and responsible”.
The meeting also offered a ‘Fatiha’ (special prayer) for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and others who lost their lives in the recent military strikes. “The participants prayed for peace and expressed hope for stability,” the CMO added.
The meeting was attended by ministers Sakina Itoo, Javaid Ahmad Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, several members of the Legislative Assembly from across Kashmir, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, IGP Kashmir V.K. Birdi, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo and other senior officers of the divisional and district administration.
Prominent members of civil society, including religious leaders, social activists, retired bureaucrats, academics, educationists and representatives of trade bodies, participated in the interaction convened in the backdrop of the escalating war in West Asia and its possible aftermath in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the valley.
As per the official press release, the chief minister listened to the concerns and suggestions raised by the participants and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to maintaining peace and ensuring the smooth functioning of essential services.
Participants expressed deep concern over the developments in the West Asia region, which have engulfed several countries, and conveyed their sympathies to those who lost their loved ones, particularly the targeted assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several of his family members.
During the meeting, the attendees urged the administration to deal with the protestors and mourners here with sympathy and understanding while allowing gatherings to express grief, ensuring that public order is maintained. They also called for the release of detainees held in recent days and to quash FIRs against youth who were out on the streets only to grieve the death of their spiritual leader.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister expressed his grief and condolences over the loss of lives in Iran. He stated that the killing of the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “cannot be described in words.” He said that the late leader was a true sympathiser of the people of Kashmir and had always maintained cordial relations with India.
Recalling his visits to Iran twice as Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India, and as Special Envoy of then PM, Atal Behari Vajpayee, CM Abdullah said that the ties of India with Iran have always been cordial. CM said that the late Iranian supreme leader was a friend of India and a true sympathiser of the people of Kashmir.
The chief minister also emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir while respecting the sentiments of the people and urged people to ensure that expressions of grief remain peaceful and responsible.
Highlighting the purpose of the interaction, he said it was intended to collectively express pain and sorrow over the recent developments and to make a joint appeal for peace. He called for collective condemnation, collective condolence and a joint commitment to maintaining calm during the mourning period.
He underscored the role of the administration and religious organisations in ensuring a peaceful atmosphere and stressed that no one should be harmed during condolence gatherings.
Regarding recent detentions and the filing of cases, the chief minister assured the participants that he would take up the matter at the highest level to adopt a soft and lenient approach. He said that he does not want his people, particularly youth, to put themselves in harm’s way.
Responding to the issue of evacuation of Kashmiri students stranded in Iran, he said he has been in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs regarding their safety and safe return. He informed that the students are being shifted to safer locations for their onward journey through land route as flights stand cancelled in the region.
He also said that parents had met him for stranded students and in some cases students who are interns had refused to come back while some had been barred by medical colleges who have cautioned students that they shall lose one year and have to study academic session all over again in case they go back.
CM assured that concerned college authorities in Iran would be requested through diplomatic channels to not penalise students who want to return to India.
Some civil society members raised the issue of increase in prices of essentials, and stressed the need for uninterrupted supply chains and proper functioning of key sectors such as health and power.
On essential supplies, the chief minister directed deputy commissioners to closely monitor stock and supply positions to prevent overpricing or hoarding and appealed to the public to bring any grievances to the notice of the administration.
Earlier, the meeting began with condolences over the demise of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, followed by ‘Fateha’ prayers for the supreme leader of Iran, school girls and others who lost their lives in the strikes on Iran.
Several religious leaders and members of civil society spoke in the meeting to express their sentiments and concerns. Those who spoke included Molvi Imran Ansari, Aga Syed Mehmood, MLA Ali Muhammad Sagar, MLA Tanvir Sadiq, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, Syed Shakeel Qalandar, M Yaseen Khan, Mushtaq Chaya, Aga Syed Mudasir Rizvi, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Tanvir Jehan, Dr Dechen Paljor, Jaspal Singh, G N War, MLA Mubarak Gul, Nasir Shah, Manzoor Pakhtoon, Shamim Ahmad Shah, Maulana Maqbool Hussain, Dr A G Ahanger, Iqram Shafie & others, the press release said.
“Restrictions will be eased gradually”
While commenting on restrictions imposed in Kashmir in the aftermath of the West Asia situation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said these would be eased gradually as the situation improves.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with religious leaders, traders and civil society, CM said that as the situation improves, restrictions will be eased.
“For now, we are trying to ensure that there is no innocent blood spilling anywhere and no injuries due to law and order disturbances,” he said.
The Chief Minister further reiterated that the government’s priority is to maintain peace and prevent any escalation, while ensuring that people can express their sentiments in a peaceful and lawful manner.
