SRINAGAR: Firebrand leader of Kashmir’s ruling National Conference party, Mustafa Kamal has accused Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, the valley’s chief cleric, of exploiting religious sentiments and using the Grand Mosque for his “own” political interests.
The Mirwaiz is also a senior separatist leader and heads the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference.
Mustafa Kamal told a local news agency, KNS, that the Mirwaiz was responsible for bringing miseries and sufferings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“To fulfil his nefarious designs he exploits youth in the name of religion. By using his rhetoric he takes advantage of the platform of Jamia Masjid and instigates the youth to take up stones.”
Kamal was reacting to an earlier statement by the Mirwaiz wherein he accused the NC-led government of being responsible for the political and economic mess in Kashmir.
Lashing out at Mirwaiz, Kamal said “Umar Farooq and other separatist leaders create uncertainty and sabotage peace initiatives. People of Jammu and Kashmir have always suffered because of the machinations of the people like Mirwaiz.”
He accused the Mirwaiz of “attacking” the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah “just to gain cheap popularity”.
“Politics of Omar Abdullah is like an open book and there is nothing hidden everything is in front of public while as the politics of the separatists leaders are based on the false politics,” he claimed.
He has warned the separatist leader to either shun the practice of “unnecessary criticizing and castigating NC”. Or it will rebound on him, he said.
