“Kashmir’s ‘sacred movement’ for freedom is being tarnished by ‘elements’ misusing the name of Islam,” says the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL). Made up of Hurriyat Conference and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), the JRL said the attempt to desecrate the pulpit of the grand mosque, the Jamia Masjid, was an attempt to damage Kashmir’s struggle that is purely indigenous in nature

The separatists made this statement on the occasion of ‘Youm-e-Taqadus’ which was observed at Kashmir’s historic mosque, the Jamia Masjid in the heart of Srinagar City on Friday. Sources say leaders and representatives from various religious, social and political organisations participated in the event.

They also put forth their views about the sacrilege of the Jamia Masjid last Friday. Greater Kashmir highlighted Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, the chairman of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat saying that such nefarious activities are a cause of great concern for the entire Muslim community. “Waving flags and raising slogans from the pulpit, this action is condemnable and can’t be lauded from the pulpits of the historic Jamia Masjid.”

Sehrai said the motive of these agencies is to weaken the ongoing people’s movement of the right to self-determination. “These elements are being used to divert this just movement by changing its basic nature and character under the presence of pursuing some global agenda.”

“Our goal is right to self-determination and our motivation is Islamic values of defending the truth and fight for justice. People should remain cautious and not allow any attempt aimed at giving the ‘Kashmiri struggle’ a global colour by linking it with some global agenda, a move that suits New Delhi by all means,” said the JRL in a statement.

It further said that the enemy of Kashmir struggle since 1947, is not only the authoritarian oppressor but deceitful designs and conspiracies of elements and agencies that manifest in different forms to damage the Kashmir struggle. The JRL reached out to the youth and urged them to stay vigilant and forge unity on all fronts, saying that youths are the greatest assets of the Kashmir struggle.