Kausarnag Yatra; Mirvaiz takes “U” turn, says Kashmiri Pandits must carry pilgrimage

Kausarnag Yatra; Mirvaiz takes “U” turn, says Kashmiri Pandits must carry pilgrimage

Saahil Suhail

Srinagar, August 12:  Taking a ‘U’ Turn, Chairman of Moderate friction of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirvaiz Umar Farooq on Monday said that they were never against the pilgrimage of Kashmiri Pandits to Kousarnag situated in South Kashmir’s Kulgam area.

“Communal elements are hell bent to create 2008 like situation in Jammu and Kashmir for the political benefits.” Mirvaiz told a gathering while addressing a seminar at Hurriyat headquarters in Rajbagh Srinagar.

“Regarding Kousranag yatra issue, our only concern was that the Reasi district administration had decided to divert all the Vaishno Devi pilgrims to the destination which could have serious affects on ecology and environment of the area as the number of pilgrims visiting Katra is over 90 lakh.” Mirvaiz had told the gathering.

He said, “Kashmir pundits are stake holders of this land like we are, so we were never against their pilgrimage to Kousarnag.” Adding Pandits must come back and should carry out their pilgrimage like they were doing in past.

However, Mirvaiz cautioned Pandit community to remain distant from the communal elements of their community that are hell bent to create 2008 like situation in the state and must not allow them for politicizing their aspirations.

Mirvaiz said that return of Kashmiri Pandits can’t affect the resolution of Kashmir issue or the ongoing freedom struggle. He criticized Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and said that they were trying to divide Kashmir on communal lines.

“We have always welcomed return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley, but in the name of their rehabilitation BJP is trying to disintegrate Kashmir instead of integrating it. These forces are trying to create 2008-like situation here by instilling religious hatred among the two communities,” said Mirwaiz.

Welcoming the proposed talks between India and Pakistan and demanded a composite dialogue on Kashmir issue between the two neighboring countries and genuine leadership of Kashmiri leadership.

Pertinently, Mirvaiz Umar Farooq along with other separatist leaders including hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani opposed the Yatra of Kashmiri pundits to Kousarnag proposed earlier this month due which Omar Abdullah Government succumbed before them, resulting conciliation of Kousarnag Yatra.