Category: Union Territory

  • RSS comes up with ‘Nayeem doctrine’ to fight Kashmiri Youth: Congress

    Reducing syllabus aimed to keep local students at bay from Natn’l completions.
    Srinagar: Terming the government refusal to give- in to the demands of students for deferring the annual exams as ‘aristocratic’ and ‘dictatorial’, congress on Friday said that Mehbooba Mufti led government has lost its confidence and waged a direct war with students. 

    In a statement issued to Kashmir Today, Party state vice president Haji Abdul Rashid and General Secretary Usman Majeed said that the RSS has devised a new strategy aiming to not only target Kashmir youth mentally by also leave them ‘incompetent’ to compete the national and international level competitive exams. They claimed that, reducing the syllabus to 50 percent instead of deferring the exams to March was the part of that sinister plan.
    “The duo while expressing strong resentment to the decision said, that the RSS backed PDP government wanted to deprive Kashmiri youth a better future and prosperous life and the 50 percent syllabus discount was part of the ‘conspiracy’ of ‘disabling’ ‘our children’ to exhibit their talent at the national and international fora.”
    They said that Kashmiri Students have been bringing laurels’ at National and international completions be it Shah Faisal or the Udampor Youth who topped the BSF exams, which has put the RSS into tizzy and prompted it to formulate a strategy that can arrest the trend and push the kashmiri youth to distress . They however, expressed shock that the RSS has chosen to use the Kashmiri itself to implement the anti- Kashmir agenda and the latest has come in the form of the ‘Nayeem Doctrine’.
    The Congress leaders Education Minister Nayeem Akhter of going all out to implement the RSS agenda to destroy the Kashmiri youth and said the new ‘Nayeem doctrine’ was to create mayhem in valley and targete the most important education sector here.
    They accused Akhter of playing with the future of Kashmiri Students and said the bureaucrat turned politician was actually the ‘agent’ of RSS in Valley whose only intention and agenda was to collapse the education system and leave the future generation ‘illiterate’ and ‘humiliated’ .
    Haji and Usman however, expressed surprise over the ‘silence’ of the other senior leaders of the ruling PDP and said that all the so called pro-people leaders have fallen silent lacking courage to confront Nayeem who has not only hijacked the party but also emerged as the only ‘unchallenged’ voice in the PDP.
    They blamed Mehbooba Mufti for giving free run to Nayeem Akhetr in putting children under immense stress and warned that Government was treading on a very dangerous path which could have serious ramifications. The congress leaders said that such arrogant approach of Chief Minster and Education Minster to please the Nagpur bosses was akin to backstabbing of our own children and cannot be accepted at any cost.
    They wondered that in a situation where nearly hundred children have been killed, thousands left injured, hundreds blinded and maimed and many thousands put behind the bars, what kind of examination this government wants to hold and who they want to sit in these exams when majority of the students are being chased day and night by police and forces? They said that the prevailing confusion and unrest has put huge stress on the youth and subjecting them to further stress would have serious ramifications.
    They accused the state government of waging a war against almost every section of the society and added that the present dispensation has not even left the labourers and the weaker sections of the society. They alleged that the government has been in confrontation with Employees, traders, labourers, Molvis, Imams, women and now the students and asked it to tell who now they( State Governmnet) represent apart from RSS. They demanded that government should revisit the decision in the larger interest of the students.

  • If elections are substitute to plebiscite, Congress, Muslim League and Hamas would never have participated in elections.

     

    Srinagar: AIP Supremo and MLA Langate Er. Rashid has rejected the Indian version in United Nations with regards to conducting of election in disputed territory of J&K by trying to project these elections as alternative to plebiscite. In a statement issued today Er. Rashid said “let India not mislead the world by claiming that  people in J&K  have shown their faith in India by participating in democratically held elections. The large turnover in these elections by no means should be seen an alternative to plebiscite. Can India deny the fact that all so called main stream political parties contest elections on the slogans of resolving Kashmir but also make it clear that their participation in elections should not be seen as accepting India’s view point on Kashmir. If Indian Govt. has the courage, it must distribute the manifesto of all political parties participating in elections at the UN and world will come to know that even BJP seeks votes for abolishing article 370 and claims complete integration of J&K as a solution to the dispute. If participating into elections means rejection of resolution of Kashmir dispute or independence from India then may India clarify why Congress and Muslim league participate in elections under British Rule and what persuaded Hamas to participate into elections in Palestine. Let Govt. of India answer if J&K was its integral part why it signed Shimla and Tashkand agreements and offered Kashmiris anything within ambits of Indian constitution”. Er. Rashid further added that if India truly claims to be the largest democracy, it must not hesitate from holding plebiscite in J&K, as if 80% people of J&K have accepted these elections as alternative to plebiscite, holding plebiscite may facilitate merger of Pak Administered Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan with India, as not less than a person like PM Modi claimed on 15th August this year that people of Pak and Gilgit Baltistan want to be part of India. However Er. Rashid added that since India knows the possible outcome of plebiscite, so it makes only excuses and arguments only to defend its weak case at local and international forums.    

  • Political and Administrative class Class of India Hell-bent To Wipe out Muslims,’ says Geelani

    Srinagar: Chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Geelani has strongly condemned the “barbaric and extrajudicial, cold blooded murder of 8 Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activists in Bhopal jail,” labeling it as an incident of jail break, after the victims tried to escape. 

    Geelani said political and administrative class whether in the veil of so-called secularism or openly and outrageous & venomous preachers of Hindutuwa, all are unanimously hell-bent to wipe away the minorities particularly Muslims. Geelani Sahab said that for the last 7 decades reins of power was in the hands of Congress with a deceitful image of secularism and equality. But even they harbored more than 40 thousand anti-Muslim riots killing lakhs of Muslims and destroying their property and worship places, and the cries and yells of sufferings Muslims got embedded and lost in high pitch slogans of democracy and secularism. Now that killer force, in the name of Hindutawa has come barely and brazenly to confront and muzzle every voice raised against their vandalism and with power, police, establishment and even judiciary on their side, they leave no stone unturned to crush and slaughter Muslims, after labeling them terrorists, thereby precipitating the hysteria of super and hyper nationalism. Pro-freedom leader said that as per reports these persons were arrested on fake charges and police was well aware of it, sensing their early acquittal and to shield their own criminal mentality they stage managed this drama and the communal political top brass was quick to glorify their “bravery” and announced a reward of 40 lakh. Geelani Sahab said that shedding blood of innocents in the garb of national security is nothing new for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as we have been witnessing these “bravery” incidents for the last 27 years and such incidents are not surprising for us as we have suffered to the maximum by the arson of army might through fake encounters, judicial and custodial killings. Hurriyat Chairman said that Bhopal jail is a high security and one of the most secure jails in India and escape from there is next to impossible. He said that even the local IG has confirmed that victims were unarmed so the question of firing on the police party doesn’t arise. Hurriyat Chairman said that playing with innocent human lives in such a barbaric and beastly manner authenticates the fact that rulers in India, particularly the present one, have build their “national rescuer” image on the dead bodies of Muslims, only to secure their majority vote bank. Geelani sahab said in case anybody raises voice against these heinous crimes by men in uniform are forced to shut by the ruling mouthpieces as their “brave hearts” have every chance to be demoralized and discouraged and just for the eyewash, such cases are handed over to the dumps of NIA & CBI, only to bury them like these dead bodies, as such crimes are legalized and authenticated under the shield of national security. Geelani sahab said that this looks as a simple and straight case of extra-judicial mass murder as a retired Supreme Court judge has rightly asserted that those involved in this case should be hanged to death, which could be of some solace to the bereaved families and deterrence for future. He further questioned that why it is always Muslims only, who are involved in jailbreak and are then eliminated in fake encounters and why the CCTV of the sophisticated jail was non functional. Geelani Sahab said that criminal minded people when armed with power and authority threaten and terrify the helpless and innocent people. Pro-freedom leader said that local faces of this state terrorism should be ashamed of, siding with these blood thirsty people and praise this country to be the safest place for Muslims. He said that these prudish people are not even feeling embraced by presenting themselves as a tallest human rights activists but for the thousands of traumatized and brutalized Inshas, Ifras and Junaids they have erupted as the most mutilated and disfigured faces of the loyalist hatchery.

  • Chief Minister visits shelling affected areas in Poonch, Rajouri

    Pitches for Indo-Pak thaw for peace stability in the region; Takes stock of relief, rehabilitation measures

    Jammu: Expressing grave concern over the plight of the people living along the borders and LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti Friday said the intermittent shelling along the borders has triggered a distressing situation in the State leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties on both sides.
    The Chief Minister conducted an extensive tour of the areas affected by the shelling along the LoC in Nowshera, Poonch and Rajouri sectors. She interacted with the affected families and took on the spot appraisal of the measures put in place by the administration to provide necessary support and help to them.
    Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Kumar Singh, Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj and Law & Justice, Abdul Haq Khan, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, Legislators, Qamar Hussain, Shah Muhammad Tantray, Anjum Fazili, Surinder Choudhary, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range, Jonny William, Deputy Commissioners of Poonch and Rajouri and respective SSPs and other senior officer of district administration accompanied the Chief Minister.
    Reiterating the urgency of deescalating the situation, the Chief Minister said there is no alternative to peace and reconciliation and New Delhi and Islamabad should take immediate and effective measures to revive the process of comprehensive and composite dialogue. She said that instead of squandering their resources on meaningless conflict, the two countries can be of great help to each other in their fight against the common challenges of poverty and economic deprivation in the region.cm1Recalling the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Chief Minister said that due to various internal and external initiatives taken during the period, peace prevailed along the borders and the people living there were happy as the guns remained silent. She added that today again the leadership of our country with a strong support and backing will find a way out as wars do not help address any issue.
    Citing examples of war like situations in various countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, the Chief Minister said that wars have resulted in complete destruction of once most prosperous countries and annihilation of their cultures and civilizations. She said our political leadership did take the initiative to revive the process of reconciliation with Pakistan when Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi visited Lahore but then Pathankote happened and everything came to a standstill. She said it is time for Pakistani political leadership also to reciprocate and consider giving peace a chance in the region.
    Chief Minister said that when the nation was divided on the basis of religion, Jammu & Kashmir rising above religious lines believed in brotherhood and inclusiveness. However, it is since these last 70 years of that division that the State has been facing this issue that has resulted in huge challenges to it, she said.
    While interacting with the affected people at Nowshera, Manjakote, Rajouri and Poonch, the Chief Minister expressed deep grief and pain over the loss of lives and damage to the property in the border shelling. She said the Government is alive to the situation and various measures are being taken for the people affected by the shelling.
    The Chief Minister said that under the new scheme announced by the Government of India next of kin of those who have died in the border firing shall get an ex-gratia relief of Rs 5 lakh. She said the families who lost their cattle will also be compensated under SDRF nor. She also gave away cheques of the initial amount/installment to the NoKs of those who died in the border firing.
    The Chief Minister also visited the make-shift camp where the people from the affected border villages have been shifted and took stock of the arrangements put in place for them. She asked the concerned officers to ensure that all necessary arrangements are made to make their stay comfortable including ration, power, water and bedding.
    Later, the Chief Minister also chaired meetings of district administration separately at Rajouri and Poonch wherein she was briefed by the respective Deputy Commissioners about the measures taken to address the issues arising out of border shelling.
    In Rajouri, the Chief Minister was informed about the arrangements put in place and measures taken with respect to evacuation of people from the worst affected villages to safer areas in make-shift camps. It was further informed that there are four border zones within 0-5 k including Rajouri, Manjakote, Nowshera and Sunderbani, covering 59 villages and 68 locations identified for establishment of camps.
    During the meeting Tehsil wise villages located along the LoC (witin 0-2 K) along with the details of population, which are most vulnerable to shelling, details regarding number of deaths, injured, loss of livestock, damage to property was also given in detail. The steps taken for evacuation of affected people including evacuation plans, establishment of control roo besides healthcare facilities including ambulances and availability of medicines, ration, water and other arrangements were also highlighted.
    A similar meeting was also held at Poonch where in the Deputy Commissioner gave details with respect to Poonch, Mandi, Kirni, and Mendhar sectors. It was informed that at least 60 schools have been identified for establishment of make-shift camps for relocating the people living along the borders. The Chief Minister was also apprised with preparatory arrangements like evacuation plans, medical facilities including emergency healthcare service, availability of ambulances and medicines besides other basic amenities that are required to be provided at such camps. The Chief Minister was also informed with details regarding the relief amount paid to the NoKs of those who have died and those injured in such incidents.
    The Chief Minister also sought details with respect of schools which have been temporarily shut down due to shelling across borders. She was informed that in certain areas students may continue their education in schools in towns where the camps have been established, while as the situation is being continuously monitored. The Chief Minister also asked for details with respect to issues arising out of pending harvest along the border areas. She instructed the district administration to fully support the people and ensure that they are provided with all necessary help during these testing times. She enquired about availability of medicines at dispensaries in the border areas and also said that a critical care ambulance for the district shall be considered to facilitate better handling of medical emergency situations. 

  • ‘Kashmir Resolution Pending Since 1947,’ Hurriyat Mirwaiz tells Def Min

    Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (m) chairperson Mirwaiz Umar Farooq  who continues to be under house arrest strongly condemned the ruling regime for once again imposing strict curfew and sealing the Jamia Masjid for the seventeenth week in a row, disallowing people from offering congregational Friday prayers there.

    Expressing dismay, Mirwaiz said, “the ruling class has reached a point in their indifference to the people their culture and religion that locking Jamia Masjid and preventing people from offering Friday prayers doesn’t seem to register on their hearts and minds any more. They have become stone hearted, irredeemable.” “The total apathy of the rulers towards the ruled reflects a very grim and disturbing situation that people are face to face with.”

    The Hurriyat Conference (m) chief said the ruling regime is duty bound to hold itself accountable for protecting the people and be responsive and respectful of their religious sentiments as it is these very people they claim who have elected them and whom they represent.

    Appealing the Islamic countries, the United Nations, and international human rights bodies to help stop violations of religious rights of the people of Kashmir, the Hurriyat Conference (m) Chairperson urged them to play a role in the resolution of the vexed Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people.

    The statement said that a delegation of Hurriyat Conference (m) leaders including Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi and Hilal Ahmad visited Jenab Sahab Soura shrine and offered Friday congregational prayers there.

    Addressing the public gathering amid pro-Azadi and pro-Islam slogans the leaders denounced the sealing of Jamia Masjid Srinagar, disallowing of Friday congregational prayers at the mosque for 17 consecutive weeks, arrest and house arrest of Mirwaiz and other resistance leaders, desecration of Jenab Sahab shrine, and brutal “state terrorism” unleashed by the forces on the civilian population.

    Meanwhile, dismissing the statement of Indian Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar that Kashmir is an integral part of India, the Hurriyat Conference (m) spokesperson said, “Kashmir is an internationally acknowledged dispute pending resolution since 1947 and history and political situation in Kashmir was witness that Kashmiris have never considered themselves and their territory to be a part of India. The fact that around 7 lakh troops, paramilitary forces and police force are needed on the ground  by India to hold on to the territory amply proves the point. The human rights violations and killings that they indulge in as Kashmiris continue to carry forward their struggle for self-determination offering selfless sacrifices of their lives and livelihood.”

    The spokesperson said, “the on-going resistance movement of Kashmir would continue till people get their right to self-determination and condemned the government for sabotaging the unified resistance leadership’s programs and peaceful protest demonstrations and marches with brutal and oppressive tactics.”

    Expressing concern over the condition of thousands of youth arrested during the past four months in jails, the Hurriyat Conference (m) spokesperson said, “the government was dealing with these political prisoners in violation of all human and legal of Conventions, which was highly deplorable.”

  • Govt throws ball in students’ court Either to appear in planned exams, or in March 2017

    Srinagar: Board of School Education (BOSE) Friday announced choice for class 10 and class 12 students to appear in examinations, as per their interest, in November 2016 or March 2017. 

    However, BOSE made it clear that students who are interested to appear in full syllabus will be given an opportunity to appear in exams of both classes in March 2017.
    It said that the planned examination scheduled to be commence in mid-November will be conducted as per date sheet already issued.
    “The examination of open choice of questions will be conducted as per the date sheet already notified. The examination of students who are interested to appear with full syllabi shall be provided an opportunity in separate examination which shall be held during March 2017, without any academic penalty,” Chairman BOSE told KNS.
    He further said that candidates belonging to division Gurez, Tandgar and Tehsil Keran and Machil, both regular and private, shall not be eligible for the proposed March 2017 examinations.
    “The students have to exercise their option only once and those opting to appear in November 2016 annual examination with open choice of questions as announced by the Board shall not be eligible to appear in the proposed annual examination of class 10 and class 12 to be held in March 2017,” Naeem Akther, Education Minister told KNS while confirming the development. (KNS)

  • Sealing of Grand Mosque can’t restore normalcy in Kashmir: Owaisi

    New Delhi: Castigating both State and Central Governments for sealing Kashmir’s Grand Mosque for 17 consecutive weeks, president All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Asaduddin Owaisi Friday said that such measures from the state government will not help restoration of normalcy in Kashmir Valley. “There is civil unrest in Kashmir. By sealing mosques, not opening up educational institutions and discouraging government employees State Government will not be able to put an end to civil unrest,” Owaisi told news agency CNS.

         He said that it is the duty of the state government to open up all the state and private owned establishments in Valley. “How can you expect peace to return in Valley when you are locking down the Jamia Masjid on every Friday,” he said.

        Owaisi said that he doesn’t know what happened to the recommendations made by the members of the All Party Delegation that visited Kashmir recently. “Government of India is silent and not telling us what happened to the recommendations made by the members of the APD vis-à-vis Kashmir. Even I had put forward my 10 points and don’t know what the Government of India has been doing,” he said and added that he will raise this issue in upcoming Parliament session. (CNS)

     

  • Day 119: Clashes and protests continue in Kashmir

    Srinagar: Life remained adversely affected for the 119th consecutive day in the Valley due to separatist called protest shutdown. The Resistance leadership had appealed people to hold pro-freedom marches in Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Budgam, Ganderbal, Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Islamabad and march towards respective District Headquarters.

        Though now curfew was imposed in any part of the Valley, but curbs and restrictions were in place in restive areas including old Srinagar city. Heavy contingent of government forces personnel had been deployed across Kashmir to quell protest marches.

        In Srinagar city, congregational prayers were not offered at the historic central mosque Srinagar for the 17th week today. All roads leading to Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta Srinagar were closed with barbed wire while Kashmir’s top cleric and Hurriyat (M) chairman was not allowed to move out of his Nigeen residence where he remains under house arrest. A large number of forces personnel remained deployed outside the mosque and adjoining areas to stop any pedestrian movement. Congregational Friday prayers haven’t been offered at the mosque since the July 8killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with forces. Hurriyat (M) spokesman Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam condemned the government move, saying that it was a direct interference into the religious affairs of Muslims.

         Eyewitnesses told news agency CNS that pro-freedom protests were carried out shortly after Friday congregational prayers in Kunus Bandipora, Nihalpora, Kalsiri Pattan, Kralpora Chanapora, Tral, Prichoo, Tahab Pulwama. Incidents of clashes were reported from Mominabad Batamaloo, Ali Jan Road Eidgah, Anchar Soura, Palhalan, Tahab Pulwama, Habak, Sopore, Baramulla, Khudwani Kulgam and Shopian.

       Intense clashes erupted in Srinagar’s Soura area after Friday prayers.Local sources said that hundreds of people came out on road raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans soon after congregational Friday prayers. “A freedom rally was taken out from Jinab Sahab Aanchar which marched towards main market Soura,” eye witness’s said.However, reports said that hundreds of men in uniform were deployed in the area to thwart the rally.

       “People did not relent and continued their march following which forces lobbed scores of tear gas and PAVA shells,” reports added. “Youth resorted to stone pelting and clashes ensued,” reports added.

       Clashes also erupted in Palhalan area of Pattan town while at Nihalpora and Kalsiri area witnessed pro-freedom rallies.

        “After Friday prayers ended, people amid pro-freedom sloganeering marched towards the highway, however, forces blocked the road near Government Higher Secondary School firing countless stun grenades and tear gas shells,” a resident said.

        Meanwhile, after Friday prayers people at Tappar and Hamray areas of Pattan town staged a protest against police alleging that they implicated few youth from these areas in fabricated cases of school burning incidents.

        Clashes erupted in Chewkalan area of Pulwama district when people pelted stones on government forces who had arrived in the village to conduct search operation. Government Forces according to witnesses resorted to aerial firing to disperse the protesting people.

       A police official said that barring few stray incidents of stone-pelting the situation across Valley remained peaceful. (CNS)

  • Rajendra visits South Kashmir, Discusses Law & Order, security arrangements for exams

     

    Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP), K. Rajendra Kumar has said that dedication and accountability with highest consideration of public service would help in providing effective policing to the people of the state, emphasizing that public cooperation would lead to new successes for the force.

    Rajendra was addressing a meeting with police, Para-military and civil officers held at District Police Lines Anantnag today.

    The meeting was convened to discuss security and law & order situation in South Kashmir districts.

    Issues relating to the maintenance of law & order were discussed threadbare with the officers and various decisions were taken to ensure security of the people and government properties.       

    Rajendra stressed for coordination and dedication among the forces for better deliverance at different levels. He said that accountability and public cooperation is imperative to get desired results of policing at different fronts.

    DGP disclosed that the efficient initiative taken by the force with other sister agencies have ensured security of the people, besides maintenance of law & order despite various attempts by the miscreants, who disrupt the peaceful scenario of the state.   He said that our efforts would continue to gain public confidence and foil the sinister designs of anti-national elements.

    The meeting also discussed security of educational institutions and security arrangements for smooth conduct of examinations announced by the government. It was decided that every step with other stakeholders would be taken to provide security for smooth conduct of examination in the valley.

    Rajendra said miscreants are targeting educational institutions to continue their designs. JKP with other forces will foil their nefarious designs and bring the culprits to justice. He said that effective measures have been taken to curb the weapon snatchers and punish the culprits. He asked the officers to gear up their men and machinery and provide every assistance to the concerned departments for smooth conduct of examinations and ensuring security of government properties.

    Special DGP, Coordination/Law & Order, Dr. S.P.Vaid also addressed the meeting and discussed law and order and security situation in the Range.

    Among others, the meeting was attended by IG, CRPF, DIG, SKR, Nitish Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Sayeed Abid Rasheed, all SSPs/SPs and SDPOs of South Kashmir districts. 

  • ‘PDP-BJP break record of Maharaja’s autocratic rule’

    For consecutive 17 Fridays, Jamia Masjid continues to shut for prayers

    Srinagar: The historic Jamia Masjid located at volatile Nowhatta area of old city continues to remain under the siege of forces and shut for the prayers for the 17th consecutive Friday today.

    No prayers were offered at the central mosque of the Valley, while the clergy of the mosque, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq continues to remain under house arrest at his Nigeen residence. The Mirwaiz was recently released from sub-jail Cheshmashahi. 

    Kashmir valley is in the grip of unrest since July 8, after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, along with two other colleagues in a village in south Kashmir. Wani’s killing, a poster boy of the present age militancy, has triggered spontaneous protests across the state leaving as many as 93 people dead and over 15000 injured.

    The separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, have been jointly spearheading the protest program that is a days to come will complete its fifth month without any break in the shutdown and protests.

    The separatists have put forward five points which the government of India has so far refused to agree, leading to a political crisis that sees no immediate breakthrough between New Delhi and Kashmiri’s pro-freedom leadership.

    It was on July 8, this year, when the last Friday Congregation prayers were held at Jamia Masjid. Four and a half months have passed but the grand mosque continues to remain locked down. The continuous lockdown of the mosque reflects the government’s interference in the religious matters.

    “The Pulpit of Jamia Masjid from the past 600 years has been spreading the message of Islam and teachings of Prophet Muhammad PBUH,” said a local Muhammad Ismail (70).

    “I have been offering Friday prayers in this Jamia Masjid since my childhood. I have never seen the masjid being locked for such a long period,” said Ghulam Rasool, (70) of Khanyar.

    It is being said that Jamia Masjid has been locked up for the longest period after Maharaja Rule. According to historians, Jamia Masjid was locked for long 20 years during the Sikh rule, from 1819 to 1845. During Dogra rule, the Masjid was again locked. Jamia Masjid was constructed by Sultan Sikandar, father of Zainul Aabideen popularly known as Budshah.

    However, both pre and post 1947, when India and Pakistan achieved independence, the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar had and continues to remain the center stage of the freedom struggle of Kashmir. (PTK)