Rashid observes Kashmir National Day, demands holiday on June 7

RIYAZ UL KHALIQ

SRINAGAR

Much to the surprise of the people and political circles of valley at large, engineer turned law maker and Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) president, Er Rashid Saturday observed National Day of Kashmir for the first time in the history of J&K.

Pertinently, J&K has its own flag and constitution which was adopted on the 7^th day of June 1952.

AIP organized a function in the Municipal Park Srinagar and hoisted the J&K flag amidst playing of the National Anthem of J&K.

Before hoisting the state flag at the venue, Rashid in his address said that the rally was not political. He said, “Kashmiris have their own identity so we have to preserve it even if our blood is spilled.”

Giving historical significance of the day (June 7), Rashid said that the constituent assembly of the state of J&K has given its own constitution, state flag and national anthem. However, he said, “India has been eroding it since 1953 and now Kashmir has woken up and Kashmiris shall now revive their identity.”

He started his speech, lamenting the life in Kashmir, with the poem of Habib Jalib: “Zulm Bhi Rahay, Aman Bhi Ho —– Kya Mumkin Hai, Tum Hi Kaho ———————– Ye Jeevan Bhi Kya Jeevan Hai —– Aag Lagay Iss Jeevan Ko.”

Rashid while divulging into the historical details of the beleaguered state said, “Actually it is the state of Kashmir not Jammu and Kashmir.”

“But India has been cutting parts of the body of Kashmir state into regions and sub regions,” he said. Adding, “We shall not let any more erosion of Kashmir’s identity.”

He said, “We respect India, its Constitution but Kashmir’s national flag and national anthem is equal to the stature of its flag and national anthem.”

Appealing major political parties of state to declare June 7 as national holiday, Rashid said, “It is under conspiracy that no state flag is being displayed in any of the district headquarters except secretariat but from next year, we shall be raising flag and singing national anthem at every district headquarters.”

He made his supporters pledge that they shall preserve their identity.

Rashid said, “Aek Vidhan, Aek Pradhan Aur Aek Nishan of BJP shall not apply to State of Jammu and Kashmir. “They (BJP) should know that we had our own PM, Constitution and Parliament and their policy apply to states beyond Lakhanpur,” he said.

Commenting upon the settlement of PaK refugees in Jammu, Rashid said, “We won’t let BJP to change demography of the state which has given 15 days ultimatum to Bangladeshi refugees to leave the state and settling non natives here.”

“Six lakh people have given sacrifice for the resolution of Kashmir and let Modi abrogate Article 370, world will know that Kashmir is not any country’s integral part.”

Rashid unfurled the state flag and national anthem was played and sung by the audience while tears trickling down his cheeks. “Wake up Kashmir, save your identity otherwise you will cease to exist,” he exclaimed.

He said that the flag unfurled is not any party’s property but the national flag of state of Kashmir.

“The flag doesn’t belong to National Conference but it is the state’s flag. NC has itself disrespected its flag and is in process of burying it,” he added.

As Rashid came down from the dais his supporters shouted slogans: “Jis Kashmir ko khoon say seencha —– who Kashmir hamara hai.”

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