‘Govt should engage with local ulema to solve Kashmir issue’
LUCKNOW: Renowned Islamic scholar and imam-e-eidgah, Lucknow, Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali on Friday came down heavily on the Hurriyat Conference for the ongoing imbroglio in Kashmir. He said that Hurriyat was the stumbling block in resolving the Kashmir issue and suggested that the Indian government rope in local ulema to resolve the problems in the troubled region.
Speaking to HT, Farangi Mahali said, “Till date, all the Indian governments have relied on Hurriyat for resolving the Kashmir issue but the end result is for everyone to see.”
Holding the separatists’ body responsible for all the problems in the valley, including the ongoing strife that started after the Burhan Wani encounter, he added, “We know that while Hurriyat talks with the Indian government, it takes instructions from the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi.”
Suggesting a solution for ending the impasse in the valley, the cleric pointed out that the Indian government could rope in ulemas from the valley for reaching out to common Kashmiris. “It’s high time that the centre ended its 40-year-old dependence on Hurriyat. The union government must start interacting with local ulema. Majority of the people in Kashmir want peace and local ulema could help the government in reaching out to these people,” he said.
“Pakistan is behind all the problems in Kashmir and Hurriyat Conference is guided by Pakistan. So, how can you expect Hurriyat to bring peace to Kashmir?” questioned Farangi Mahali.
The Islamic scholar also urged the Indian government to address some issues of the people there - like an excessive use of pellet guns blinding Kashmiri youths and cases of atrocities by the armed forces on locals.
The imam further suggested generation of employment opportunities for bringing Kashmiri youths into the mainstream of the society.
Commenting on the surgical strikes carried out by the Para Special Forces of the Indian Army on terrorist camps in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Farangi Mahali said, “Such a step should have been taken much earlier to teach Pakistan a lesson.” He, however, added that war between two nuclear powers could not be the solution. “If Pakistan assures India in letter and spirit that it would not allow its land to be used for terrorist activities then India could rethink its Pakistan strategy,” added Farangi Mahali.
The cleric also felt that scrapping of the Indus Water treaty would not serve any purpose.
“On humanitarian grounds and otherwise also, annulling the Indus Water treaty with Pakistan will not serve any purpose. India has always helped Pakistan like an elder brother but Pakistan has never reciprocated in a similar vein,” he said.