Srinagar, Jul 27 (KNO): The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah on Thursday welcomed allowing of the 8th Muharram procession after a period of “three decades” but said more needs to be done from lifting “repeated” curbs on Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid Srinagar and releasing Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
“I won’t go into the history but I surely welcome allowing of 8th Muharram procession after 30-32 years. More steps need to be taken like repeated curbs on Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid and the Eid prayers at Eidgah too should be lifted,” Omar, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said.
“If history has to be spoken, then Mirwaiz Umar Farooq too should be released,” the National Conference vice president said, adding, “When the government is claiming normalcy in the situation, they should take these few more steps.”
Along with the removal of “curbs” on Eid prayers at Eidgah and Jamia Masjid, we want restrictions on our “religious leader” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq should also be lifted, Omar said. When after 32 years, curbs on the Muharram procession can be removed then the “curbs” for so many years on Mirwaiz too should be lifted, he added.
Claiming that they themselves had become “victims of this government”, Abdullah said, “On 13th July this month, we were to go to martyrs’ graveyard to offer prayers, but were not allowed. More measures like today need to be taken.”
Responding to a question about elections in Jammu & Kashmir, the former CM said, “In the present scenario, they (BJP) will never get seats. If elections were held today they would probably not even cross ten seats.”
“Their political future is linked to how best they can divide voters in Jammu & Kashmir. And that's what they're doing. But let elections come. I'm sure you will find that the people of J&K are much wiser. They will not allow these sorts of conspiracies to divide them,” he added—(KNO)