SRINAGAR, Aug 18: Expressing his dismay over the relatively humongous participation of people in the 2008 legislative elections just after the anti-India uprising that left dozens dead that year, senior separatist leader Muhammad Yasin Malik called upon people to shun what he said were double standards.
Malik who heads the pro-Independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front told people to draw a line and not participate in elections and join processions of pro-freedom leaders as well.
“Azadi demands consistency. Every one witnessed how lakhs of people flooded roads for demanding freedom in 2008, but unfortunately later large number of people voted in elections. Whole world watched us how we turned from Azadi-seekers to voting for India-centric politicians. Allah bestows success to those who choose only one path unlike those who choose one in morning and another in evening,” Malik told a gathering of worshippers at Charar-i-Shareef shrine in Budgam district on Friday.
Kashmir witnessed a first of its kind popular uprising in 2008 over transfer of land to the Hindu Amarnath shrine management. Dozens of people, mostly youth, died in police or paramilitary firing at protesters.
But soon after, the assembly polls saw more than 60 percent participation, a relatively huge number in Kashmir where calls by separatists to boycott elections had always had an impact.
“That was the worst moment in the struggle. How can a nation attain freedom from its oppressors when they are voting in their favour,” Malik said adding, “I believe that if Kashmiri people will show consistency in their struggle, we will soon see the end of occupation.”
Malik told people to refrain from “double standards” and asked them not to take part in polls again.
“India portrays these elections as acceptance of its constitution by people of Kashmir before the whole world.” We should remain united in every respect and should stand firm against all the conspiracies to foil the nefarious designs of the enemy. If people remain disciplined then the struggle will achieve its goals,” he said.
