Govt Regulation over Friday Sermons is Unacceptable: NC

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

National Conference on Tuesday lashed out at Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and the PDP-BJP Government for starting an “extensive policy of putting Imams under surveillance” through J&K Police and the CID.

Condemning this “new policy”, NC Spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu said, “this was a direct interference into the religious affairs of Kashmiris and had exposed Mehbooba Mufti and her party.”

“Ms Mehbooba Mufti is trying to be more loyal than the King. Her anti-Muslim and anti-Islam statements have fuelled the fire of Islamophobia and given ammunition to the likes of Taslima Nasreen who have not only rejoiced at Mehbooba’s remarks but also congratulated her. Mehbooba Mufti’s move of putting Imams under surveillance comes after her public threat to senior clerics to desist from talking about Article 370. Ironically this is the same party that promised a ‘Battle of Ideas’. Now it’s evident that Mehbooba Mufti has declared an unofficial emergency in the State and is suspending all basic civil rights and liberties,” NC Spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu added.

The NC Spokesperson said the Government has directed CID officials to keep a close watch on the activities of Imams both inside and outside the Masjids.

“Their sermons are being monitored for any political content and the Police have also been directed to keep a record of their political affiliations. Mehbooba is playing with fire. She has no right to intimidate our clerics and religious scholars. Her behaviour is anti-Muslim and violated the basic tenets of the constitution. Clerics have a right to preach what they deem fit. Any government regulation over Friday sermons is unacceptable,” the NC Spokesperson added.

“There are also reports in the media that a senior police officer has been put in charge of this extra-legal and extra-constitutional surveillance. This senior police officer has also directed the Police to carry an extensive profiling of clerics in their respective areas and ascertain their affiliations. The police has also been directed the collect photographs of all Imams and keep them on record. Media reports have claimed that official orders have been issued by the CID Department to this effect. This is an extremely alarming development and the Police should also desist from being politicized by the Chief Minister and not transgress their legal and constitutional mandate. Any large scale profiling of religious clerics and Imams is totally and completely unacceptable,” the NC Spokesperson further said.

Peerzada Ghulam Jeelani

Meanwhile, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Working President Omar Abdullah have expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Ex-Legislator and Constituent Assembly Member late Haji Ghulam Jeelani and extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family especially Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi and NC youth leader Yawar Masoodi.

Late Haji Ghulam Jeelani was the father-in-law of Justice Masoodi and the maternal grandfather of Yawar Masoodi.

NC Working President Omar Abdullah participated in the Nimaz-e-Jinaza of Late Haji Ghulam Jeelani at Pampore this morning and was accompanied by Senior NC Leaders including NC Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani.

Senior Party Leaders including NC General Secretary Haji Ali Mohammad Sagar, Additional General Secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Senior Leaders Abdul Rahim Rather, Sakina Ittoo, Chief Spokesperson Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and State Spokesperson Junaid Mattu besides party legislators, office bearers and activists have also expressed grief over the demise of Haji Ghulam Jeelani and expressed solidarity with Justice Masoodi and Yawar Masoodi, an NC statement said Tuesday afternoon.

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