Srinagar, March 11 (IANS) Amidst a raging controversy over the release of separatist leader Masrat Alam, an independent legislator in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday said he will seek the release of all political prisoners as well as the mortal remains of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in the upcoming assembly session.
"Why is the Indian government feeling so insecure over one man's release? Why Alam's release has been an issue as if it was an undue favour from the government?" legislator Langate Engineer Abdul Rashid said at a media conference here.
Rashid blamed the media for creating "unnecessary" hype around the separatist's release.
"In (the Kashmir) Valley, the BJP-led government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre is seen as champion of Hindutva and yet his (Modi's) patriotic credentials were put to question in parliament.
"Wasn't it the Bharatiya Janata Party that talked to Hurriyat and other separatist leaders and even with Hizbul Mujahideen militants during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure?" he asked.
The lawmaker said the uproar in parliament over Alam's release shows India has nothing to offer to the Kashmiris.
"Even seeking the mortal remains of a dead person is termed as terrorism. The government of India is pushing Kashmiris to the wall. How do you (central government) expect Hurriyat Conference leaders to come forward for talks in such a scenario?" he said.
Rashid said that during the 2010 street agitation, a parliamentary delegation had knocked on the doors of separatist leaders for talks.
"This means the Indian government will talk only when Kashmiris show resistance," he added.
The legislator said he had warned Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed against entering into an alliance with the BJP to form the government.
"India has not done justice with any leader here. As long as Mufti talks sense, we should support him," he said.
"Why can't Mufti Sayeed and Omar Abdullah unite for the sake of Kashmiris? Kashmir is a disputed territory. There are UN resolutions and bilateral agreements between India and Pakistan over it. India can't escape from Kashmir resolution."
However, he said demanding resolution of the Kashmir issue does not mean talking against the sovereignty of India.
"I am being labelled as anti-national. But Indian policy-makers should introspect why India has failed to win the battle of hearts and minds in Kashmir?" he added.
He questioned the BJP-led central government for "creating hurdles" in returning the mortal remains of Afzal Guru.
"I am told there will be a memorial for Guru in Kashmir if his mortal remains are returned. There is a memorial of Khalistan movement supporter Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale inside the Golden Temple. Why is the BJP not raising the same question in Punjab where it has a coalition government with Akalis.
"Why are you after Kashmiris, isn't it hypocrisy?" he asked.
On the two resolutions, he said: "This is a must to create a conducive atmosphere for talks in the state."
Digital revolution: Metaverse to replace Zoom meetings, tech companies vying for investment
One thing is on everyone's lips these days in California - the next war in Silicon Valley will be fought on the 'Metaverse'. Every major tech company believes that the Metaverse will change our
Bangladesh Vs Ireland : Bangladesh in Paul Stirling's storm, Ireland did a big upset by winning the third T20
Thanks to the brilliant performance of Paul Stirling (77) and the bowlers, Ireland on Friday defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in the third and final T20 International match with 36 balls to
Ramadan Mubarak : Holy month of Ramadan begins, today is the first day, know the time of Sehri and Iftar
Ramadan 2023 Date: The Muslim community considers the month of Ramadan as the most sacred. This holy month begins with the sighting of the moon. The month of Ramadan is sometimes 29 days and sometimes
Fitch Ratings: Fitch Revises India's Sovereign Rating Outlook, Changes From Negative To Stable
Fitch Ratings on Friday said it has changed its outlook for India's sovereign rating from negative to stable. Giving reasons for this, the report said that due to the rapid economic recovery in the
Money Laundering Case: Jacqueline Fernandez reaches ED's Delhi office, will be questioned in a case related to extortion of 200 crores
Money Laundering Case: Film actress Jacqueline Fernandez appeared in the Enforcement Directorate (ED)'s Delhi office for questioning in a money laundering case. Sources gave this information. ED will
GT vs SRH: Gujarat beat Hyderabad by 34 runs, and became the first team to reach the playoffs, Shubman Gill scored a century
In IPL 2023, on Monday, Gujarat Titans defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 34 runs. With this victory, Gujarat has become the first team to reach the playoffs. Gujarat has 18 points after 13 matches. This
Earthquake in Himachal: Tremors were felt in Chamba's Churah, 3.4 intensity on the reactor scale, people came out of their homes
Earthquake tremors were felt in Himachal Pradesh on Friday night. Whose center was Churah of Chamba district? The earthquake measured 3.5 on the Richter scale. The effect of this earthquake was also
PM Modi: PM Modi inaugurated many metro projects; the Country's first underwater metro was also inaugurated
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated several metro projects in the country. This also includes the country's first underwater metro line in Kolkata. During this, the Howrah
10 crore rupees to Prince Charles from bin Laden's family: Alleged use for charity, organization denies
Britain's Prince Charles is once again embroiled in a big controversy. It is alleged that Charles' Charitable Trust took one million pounds (about 9.64 crores in Indian currency) from two cousins
Suriya: After the dispute between Pawan Kalyan and Karthi was resolved, Suriya reacted, knowing what he wrote in the post
Actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan was upset after actor Karthi's statement on Tirupati Laddu. After this, Karthi also apologized, which Pawan Kalyan accepted, and wished him
