Mirwaiz addresses Jamia congregation after release from seven-week detention

Srinagar/April,28: Hurriyat (M) chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday addressed the congregation at Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar after his release from seven-week-long house arrest.
Addressing  people, Mirwaiz said that spontaneous mass student protests and agitation across the valley “clearly bring out that every section and segment of the Kashmir society is actively connected with the sentiment which has  got embedded in our collective consciousness as a nation and drives us especially our youth to break free from the yoke of occupation.”
He said extreme state repression in all forms further pushes the people to resist and stand up against it, despite fatal consequences for them.
Mirwaiz said that the student protests were imminent “as all space for freedom of expression” has been choked.
“The state has to understand that it cannot control the situation by resorting to brute force. It has to change its prohibitory mindset and allow students to reclaim their space for activism and freedom of expression in college and university campuses, as is the norm world over,” he said.
Mirwaiz said keeping leadership in jails or under house detention for months or for years has proved futile in “containing” the problem.
“…it is a pan-Kashmir people’s political struggle and not confined to any particular section that it can be isolated and curbed by force.”
“It is of no consequence to the occupied people of Kashmir whether the president of India rules over them or a pro India political party as the reins of power authority and control always rest with New Delhi which for the last seven decades has vested those in its armed forces and police whose writ runs here.”
Mirwaiz said much blood of innocent Kashmiris has flowed down the Jhelum and people of Kashmir do not even want the death of Indian soldiers.
“They want the death dance to stop,” he said.
“It is up to the BJP Government in New Delhi to do so, if it looks beyond the rich electoral dividends for itself across India from its Kashmir narrative and status quo. For end to bloodshed and real peace in Kashmir and the region it has to behave as a genuine and mature democracy. It has to seriously and sincerely engage with the people of Kashmir taking into account their political will and aspirations and simultaneously start a process of engagement with Pakistan which is a party to the dispute.”