‘Govt pushing youth towards militancy’
Srinagar: Hurriyat (M) chairman and Jamia Masjid’s head cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said the government of the day is trying to promote tourism in Kashmir by opening a liquor shop at the airport, which is highly condemnable and a shameful act on part of the ruling party.
While addressing Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid after five weeks, he said “Everyone wants tourism but not at the cost of our sentiments and religious belief,” he said.
Mirwaiz talked tough over the promotion of liquor in Kashmir saying the government has been playing a dirty game. “We won’t allow such acts here in the name of tourism,” he said.
He said the government is living in fool’s paradise if it thinks that by imposing restrictions that it would stop the pulpit of Jamia Masjid from raising the voice of the suppressed.
“The Old City has been turned into a military fortress. We condemn such acts that government even denies us from our religious rights,” he said. He said the government is pushing youth towards militancy by throwing them into jails.
Earlier, amid restrictions in Srinagar areas, the authorities disallowed the Friday prayers for five consecutive weeks at Jamia Masjid.
Unlike previous five weeks, no restrictions were imposed in Srinagar areas while the congregational prayers were also held at Jamia Masjid.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who remained under house detention for several weeks was also released and allowed to deliver sermons at historic Masjid.
(With inputs from KNS)
