Senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while exposing the contradiction of the policy, outlined by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an article describing the ‘G20 scenario’ under Indian presidency said, the same can work wonders if adopted in dealing with the Kashmir dispute.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who continues to remain under house arrest in a statement in Srinagar making a reference to the longstanding Kashmir dispute said problems and disputes have to be resolved sooner or later and peaceful ne-gotiations provide the best option.
In the article, Narendra Modi called India the ‘mother of democracy’, seeking a global leadership role and outlining its policy as one in which ‘challenges be solved not by fighting each other, but by acting together,’ talking of ‘healing, harmony and hope’ as the approach.
“What wonders would it do for the whole region if the same approach is adopted in dealing with the lingering Kashmir dispute,” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said. He said policies based on oppression and coercion are short-lived and cannot alter the facts of history.
He expressed concern over the plight of Kashmiri political leaders, activists, journalists, youths and others who are languishing in prisons and jails outside Kashmir for years, many without trial. “Their plight is worrisome as they are simply left to rot in jails for their convictions,” he said.
Meanwhile, the APHC in a statement reiterated the call for the unconditional release of all political prisoners, ac-tivists, journalists and youths, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who completed 40 months under house arrest, the other day.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been under continued house arrest since August 05, 2019 when the Modi regime repealed the special status of IIOJK.
The APHC in a statement issued in Srinagar said this extra-judicial incarceration of the Mirwaiz without being informed reasons for it or any charges levelled against him, is gross violation of fundamental human rights of a person and is in complete violation of the Human Rights Convention of which India is a signatory. It is also a vio-lation of Article 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India, it added. Yet for the last 40 consecutive months, despite appeals for his release from all quarters, being the religious head of the territory also, he continues to be incarcerated, it deplored.
The APHC said that it salutes the courage and determination of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is patiently and with dignity enduring this incarceration for standing firm on his principled political stand with regard to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute and peace in the subcontinent.
Meanwhile, APHC also expressed serious concern over the plight of Kashmiri political leaders, activists, journalists and youth, languishing in different jails of India and the territory, many without trials and under draconian laws, stating their plight is worrisome as they are simply left to suffer in jails for their convictions.
It emphasised that policies based on oppression and coercion, are short lived and cannot alter the facts of history. Problems and disputes have to be resolved sooner or later and peaceful negotiations provide the best option, it added.—KMS
