Terming the participation in elections as ‘disrespect to great martyrs like Showkat Ahmad Shah’, incarcerated chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Muhammad Yasin Malik on Friday said that the charismatic and multi-dimensional personality of Moulana Showkat is ‘unforgettable’ and no Kashmiri can ever overlook his sacrifices and struggle.In a statement issued to KNS, Malik said that his struggle for freedom and efforts to eradicate sectarianism from Jammu Kashmir will always be remembered. The spokesman of JKLF said that Malik in his message from Srinagar Central Jail said, “Moulana Showkat worked continuously for the cause of freedom and his efforts to unite Muslim Ummah, promoting and upholding Quran and Sunnah and connecting new generations with these two main sources, his philanthropy , his works in the field of education and social work, his dream of an Islamic University, establishing free or nonprofit based heath care centers and his leadership ,all these qualities bear a witness to his unparalleled personality.”JKLF chairman said, “Showkat worked day in and day out for the cause of unity among the Muslims of Jammu Kashmir and today when our enemies are hell bent to divide us into fractions and sects, we need a religious and social leader like him who can bridge gaps and unite Muslims into one Ummah.”He said that Jamiat Ahlihadees touched new highest of success in his era but his absence is more felt by those who did not belong to his creed (Maslak) and this is because his persona was ‘a symbol of unity and humbleness for all’.
Malik said that the freedom struggle of Kashmir is indebted to the martyrs like Moulana Showkat Ahmad shah and “today when we remember this great soul, we pledge to take the mission of these martyrs to its desired goal.”While appealing people to boycott upcoming elections, JKLF incarcerated chairman said that participating in these elections is like ‘disrespecting great martyrs like Showkat Ahmad Shah’, which no Kashmiri can even think of.Meanwhile, the spokesman said that despite heavy restrictions and oppression, JKLF leaders and activists continued with their election boycott campaign in various parts of south and central Kashmir.JKLF zonal president, Noor Muhammad Kalwal and senior leader Zahoor Ahmad Butt have been running this campaign in a peaceful manner in south Kashmir and today these leaders along with JKLF district president Muhammad Ishaaq Ganie and district president Pulwama Javed Ahmad Butt held a boycott program at central Jamia Masjid Islamabad and its surroundings adjacent areas.
The statement reads that both leaders addressed various gatherings and held a door to door campaign and asked people to stay away from so-called elections.They also visited Langan Bal, Frisal, Chanxer in Kulgam and asked people to stay away from polls. Similarly JKLF chief organizer Siraj ud din Mir along with district president Gulzar Ahmad Pahalwan, M. Ramzan Sofi, Meraj ud din, Molvi Rashid, Bilal Dar, Nazir Ahmad Hajam, Muhammad Akram Khan, Abdul Majeed Hakim and Muhammad Maqbool,Ali Muhammad ,Ishfaq Ahmad continued their efforts in tehsil Beeru, tehsil Chadoora and Khan Sahib Budgam, Lasjan, Nasarullahpora and Doniwar. JKLF zonal general secretary Sheikh Abdul Rashid along with Muhammad Maqbool Teploo, Habib ullah Dar, Fayaz Ahmad and others continued their Boycott campaign in Soura, Upper Soura, Aanchaar, Bechpora, Ahmad Nagar, Umer Hair,Ilahi Bagh, Pandech, Malabagh,90 feet Road, Paloach Pora,Khanyaar, Dukaan I Sangeen, Malik Aangan, Feteh Kadal, Mohalla Syed Ali Akbar, Sona Masjid, Mohalla Rupreshi Sahib, Habakadal, Tenkipora and Qilla Masjid.Similarly, JKLF leaders also visited Lajoora, Pinglana,Koiel and Parigam in Pulwama, Zargan, Kandajan, Achwara and Haf Shrimal in Shupina and Kangan in Ganderbal district and asked people to stay away from upcoming polls.It is worth to mention that Police early morning today raided the residence of JKLF senior activist Fayaz Ahmad at Khanyaar and harassed his family. JKLF strongly condemns ‘this police highhandedness.’ (KNS)