Jammu
In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, various Sikh leaders and organisations including Sikh Intellectuals Circle J&K, International Sikh Federation, Sikh Students Federation, J&K Sikh Council and the Sikh Youth of J&K have welcomed the decision of Pakistan government for conferring Nishan-i-Pakistan on veteran Kashmiri Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Geelani.
Narinder Singh Khalsa, Chairman of Sikh Intellectuals Circle J&K, told media that a special meeting of senior Sikh leaders of these organisations was held in Jammu, today, wherein Sikh leaders said that Syed Ali Geelani was the symbol of freedom struggle of Kashmir and a leading voice against the Indian oppression in the occupied territory.
He said that by conferring the highest civil award of the country on Syed Ali Gilani, Pakistan paid tribute to the Kashmiris’ aspirations for settlement of the Kashmir dispute as per the UN resolutions.
The Sikh leaders also congratulated the government and people of Pakistan on their Independence Day and said in view of the communal agenda pursued by the Indian rulers, the vision of Mohammad Ali Jinnah can become a ray of hope for other minorities in India struggling for their independence and fundamental rights.
APHC leader and Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Social Peace Forum, Advocate Devinder Singh Behl, in a statement issued in Srinagar said that award had further boosted the resolve of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their freedom struggle. He added that the life of Syed Ali Geelani was like an open book as he had dedicated his entire life to the Kashmir cause.
Advocate Devinder Singh Behl said that the role and services of Syed Ali Geelani for the Kashmir liberation movement would be written in golden letters. He said that India had imposed strict restrictions on Hurriyat leaders who were playing a key role in the Kashmir liberation movement and they had to go through various hardships. But, despite these restrictions and suffering, the Hurriyat leaders have continued their role in the Kashmir liberation movement, he added.
Meanwhile, the Tehreek-e-Wahdat-e-Islami spokesman in a statement issued in Srinagar said that Syed Ali Geelani had a unique position in the Kashmir liberation movement and he had dedicated his entire life to the Kashmir cause.—KMS
