Ishfaq-ul-Hassan
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 12 – For the last 10 Fridays, no Namaz could be held at the historic Srinagar Jamia Masjid due to the lockdown, even as Jammu and Kashmir government issued full page advertisements blaming “militants and separatists” for the ongoing ‘hartal’ and agitation.
Massive security clampdown has been launched in the valley post abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories on August 5. Since then no Friday congregation could be held at Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of Srinagar’s old city. Even prayers on Eid-ul-Azha or Bakrid could not be held in the historic mosque this year due to the lockdown.
Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength outside Jamia Masjid to prevent people from leading any march. Strict restrictions under section 144 CrPC have been imposed in and around Jamia Masjid to prevent people from taking out any procession.
Moderate Hurriyat Chairman and chief cleric of Kashmir Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who leads Friday congregations at Jamia Masjid on Fridays, has been placed under house detention since August 5.
Even the Jamia Market adjacent to historic mosque has not opened since August 5. Though all markets in the vicinity open for three hours in the morning, Jamia Market has decided against opening it because of the mosque lockdown.
On the other side, Jammu and Kashmir government issued full front page advertisement in local dailies asking people to “Think who is benefiting from closed shops and no public transport”.
“For over 70 years now, the people of J&K have been misled. They have been victims of a vicious campaign and motivated propaganda that has kept them trapped in the endless cycle of militancy, violence, destruction and poverty”, reads the advertisement.
“While separatists sent their children to exotic lands to study work and earn, they instigated the common people to push their children into violence, stone pelting and hartals. They used threats of militants, coercion and misinformation to beguile the people. Today, militants are using the same tactic of threats and coercion. Are we going to tolerate this?” adds the advertisement.
Even if it was not enough, the government asked people why to fear? “Will we let a few posters and threats push us into not resuming our business, not earning our legitimate livelihood, not securing a rightful education and secure future for our children and not letting development bloom for our Kashmir… This is our home. It is for us to think of its wellbeing and prosperity. Why Fear?” the advertisement concludes.
