Engineer Rasheed led Awami Ittehad Party’s on Thursday conducted a plebiscite march which started from Dastageer Sahab Shrine and ended at Martyrs graveyard Naqashband Sahab Shrine Srinagar.The march, according to AIP’s statement, was joined by hundreds of people including its own workers. “Hundreds of residents of Old Srinagar defied the restrictions and joined the march,” the statement said.Led by Rasheed, the participants raising slogans, seeking plebiscite, pledged to fulfil the ‘Martyrs mission’.Rasheed in the statement said that police closed the gates of “Martyrs graveyard” and didn’t allow the participants to enter the graveyard.Speaking on the occasion Rasheed lashed out at Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah and accused they have no right whatsoever to offer tributes to the martyrs of 13 July 1931.He said, “While Mehbooba Mufti’s coalition partner didn’t even recognise the sacrifices of 13 July, NC leadership is itself confused as it has been always silent to call Maharaja an autocrat and anti-Kashmiri.”
The firebrand lawmaker said that Mehbooba Mufti should resign if she has any moral dignity as it is for the third consecutive time that no one from BJP appeared to pay tributes to the martyrs, the heroes of Jammu & Kashmir. “BJP has yet again insulted their sacrifices and Mehbooba Mufti has nothing to defend.”The Langate lawmaker said: “Let Farooq Abdullah and all other mainstream parties understand that the mission of July 13 Martyrs never was to make J&K part of India and their mission will only be achieved if Kashmiris are given right to self-determination.”Rasheed reiterated that resistance leadership including octogenarian leader Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik are the true custodians of sacrifices and those who claim and believe J&K to be India’s integral part have no moral right to pay tributes to these martyrs.Castigating the government for detaining Hurriyat leaders, Rasheed challenged the government to allow people peaceful political activities.
Paying tributes to slain militants killed in Budgam, Rasheed demanded FIR against Nowhatta Police for forcing Sajad Ahmad to join militancy. “Militants are not terrorists. Although we differ with them, they are seeking a resolution to Kashmir dispute. Let those be taken to task who made life of Sajad Ahmad miserable and hell and forced him to join militancy.”Reiterating that Kashmiris are not in a hurry for the “so called” talks, Rasheed said that a day will come when New Delhi will beg for talks.Rasheed asked J&K Police not to forget that they are not dealing with an ordinary law and order situation but facing a revolt against New Delhi’s history of broken promises and aggression.He said: “While J&K police has every right to claim being part of the society but serving against the interests of their own people will destroy their image and will be always unacceptable”.Rasheed praised people of Downtown for their consistency and continuous struggle for right to self-determination. He appealed people to show unity and work together for compelling New Delhi for a durable settlement to the dispute of J&K. (CNS)