Amid precautionary detentions of several separatist leaders and suspected stone-throwers, anti-Israel protests were held in Kashmir on the last Friday of holy month of Ramzan. Except for some minor clashes between protesters and the police, the situation remained peaceful across the Valley.
The last Friday is traditionally observed as Youm-ul-Qudus, the day for the liberation of Palestine in Mulsim-dominated parts of the world ever since founder of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, late Ayatullah Khumeini called for it in early 1980s. This year, in the backdrop of Israel’s attacks on Gaza, the Youm-ul-Qudus attained added significance and focus.
Hundreds of protest marches have been carried out in Kashmir Valley since Israel began is attacks on Gaza. At least one person, a 15-year-boy, was killed and several others were wounded in police and paramilitary actions against the protesters. The anti-Israel protests usually take anti-India and ‘pro-azaadi’ turn in Kashmir. A police officer said that it was the fear of this element (pro-azaadi protests) that compels the authorities to disallow protests against Israel.
The pro-India parties have also voiced their resentment against the Israeli aggression in Gaza. last week, the State Cabinet also expressed resentment over the situation in Gaza while the Congress, the People’s Democratic Party and the CPI(M) issued statements in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The authorities have detained several separatist leaders at their homes or nearby police stations to prevent public mobilisation on the sensitive day. They include hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Geelani, who was barred to offer Friday prayers as contingents of police deployed at his residence prevented him to step out. The police have held many suspected stone-pelters in old parts of Srinagar to maintain law and order. Geelani termed the “crackdown and police raids” on the residences of the Hurriyat leaders and activists as an “act of state terrorism”.
However, despite the preventive measures, tens of thousands of people offered Friday’s congregational prayers. The biggest congregations were held at Jamia Masjid in old Srinagar and Hazratbal mosque.
Speaking to worshippers, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq lamented that Muslim nations across the globe were unable to prevent Israeli aggression on Gaza. “Muslims constitute one fourth of world population possessing 70 per cent of natural resources, yet they are unable to take on Israel,” he said. “This is unfortunate that Muslim world is acting as a mute spectator over brutal massacre of innocent people in Gaza,” he said.
Welcoming the Foreign Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan, Mirwaiz stated that Hurriyat would welcome any decision by India and Pakistan to take up the Kashmir issue in a more serious way and as a matter of priority at the highest political levels. From the past experiences, it’s very clear that bureaucrats cannot tackle what is essentially a political issue requiring real statesmanship. If Kashmir were to be elevated as an issue to be pursued at the top political level — at the prime ministerial level — the people of Kashmir would take this as a very welcome sign of seriousness on the part of India and Pakistan towards conflict resolution.
Mirwaiz said that the newly-elected Government in New Delhi must not repeat the same mistakes as previous Governments have made — of relying on militaristic approaches, while believing that time alone would resolve the Kashmir issue.