Srinagar, Aug 29 (KNO): Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq on Saturday said Kashmiri Pandits are "our own people" and an "integral part" of Kashmir’s culture, history and future, while condemning threats against them.
Speaking with reporters here, Mirwaiz, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said efforts should continue for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley.
“Kashmiri Pandits are not outsiders; they are our own people. They are a part of our culture, our history and even our future,” he said, adding that he hoped the government would also continue its efforts in this regard.
On the ongoing political debate in Jammu and Kashmir, Mirwaiz said all political parties and leaders, including Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, should work towards "restoring" the identity and rights of the people of J&K.
He said the rights of the people had been taken away and Jammu and Kashmir was turned into a Union Territory, asserting that political parties in the region had a moral responsibility to raise their voice for these issues.
Mirwaiz said restoration of statehood alone should not be the only demand. He called for restoration of Article 370 and other constitutional guarantees, which he alleged had been removed.
“Day by day we are feeling that the priorities of the NC government are not being fulfilled,” he said, adding that the government had not been able to create confidence among people on issues concerning their rights.
Mirwaiz said issues such as electricity and roads were important but described the political rights and constitutional guarantees of the people as the “real issue”.
Turning to the environment, he expressed concern over increasing human interference, unplanned construction and alleged violations affecting Kashmir’s water bodies, flood channels, mountains and other fragile ecological zones.
Referring to recent floods, cloudbursts, landslides and losses reported from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Mirwaiz said the region was witnessing the effects of climate change and global warming.
"The recent tragedies should serve as a warning, as Kashmir, like Nepal and other areas, is part of the Himalayan region. Protecting the Valley's jungles and mountains is our prime responsibility,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the declining condition of Dal and Wular lakes and alleged that numerous violations were taking place around water bodies and flood channels.
Referring to the 2014 floods, he questioned how constructions were being permitted around flood channels and urged authorities to examine the permissions being granted for such activities.
Mirwaiz expressed concern over construction and road-building in tourist and mountainous areas, particularly referring to Pahalgam, and warned that unchecked development could push the region towards an ecological and environmental disaster.
He said the government and experts involved in policymaking must adopt an organised approach towards protecting Kashmir’s fragile environment.
On rising crime, Mirwaiz said it was unfortunate but maintained that every society requires continuous reform. He said mosques and religious institutions could play an important role in bringing about social reform, particularly during Rabi-ul-Awal when spiritual programmes and congregations are being held.
“Everyone is responsible and everyone will be asked about their responsibilities,” he said, referring to a saying of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Mirwaiz also expressed concern over the economic situation in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the economy was passing through a “delicate phase” and that poor people were not in a position to bear additional tariff burdens.
The government, he said, should have taken more time before increasing tariffs. "They must focus instead on unemployment and employment generation," he said, adding that unemployment remained one of the biggest problems facing the region.
Around 21 lakh people were unemployed in Jammu and Kashmir, Mirwaiz said, citing a figure from the previous year.
“If there is no private sector here and if there is no tourism sector here, then we will be in a very difficult situation,” he said—(KNO)