HCBA stages protest against Mehta concert

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 9/7/2013 12:37:48 AM

Musical programme aimed at crushing Kashmiri freedom movement: Qayoom

SRINAGAR, Sep 6: Joining the opposition to Zubin Mehta concert scheduled for tomorrow at Shalimar gardens, the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) today staged protest demonstrations in High Court premises.
Addressing the protesting lawyers, Mian Qayoom, the newly elected president HCBA said that holding musical concert by Mehta is an attempt ‘to crush the Kashmiri freedom movement’. “No Kashmiri should participate in the concert as history of Kashmir is all filled with very gory incidents including Kunanposhpora, Gawkadal, Chota Bazar Bijbehera and other similar incidents,” Qayoom observed.
The HCBA president said “music in essence is against the tenets of Islam and those people should boycott the Mehta concert if they really follow Islamic tenets.”
Speaking on the occasion, G N Shaheen former general secretary HCBA, said by holding the concert, government of India wants to mislead the world community about the ground realities in Jammu and Kashmir. “If the government of India and Jammu and Kashmir government are sincere and really want to give expression of peace in J&K to the world then they should withdraw the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), disturbed areas act (DAA) and push the armed forces to their barracks.”
Shaheen said: “The government of India and the government of Jammu and Kashmir should also provide the fundamental right to Kashmiris to express their political opinion. Holding these programmes cannot bring any change.”
Dozens of lawyers participated this protest demonstration which started at 2 PM and culminated after few hours. Protests erupted at various places in Kashmir against the scheduled concert. Soon after Friday prayers, hundreds of Kashmir University students holding banners and placards chanted pro-freedom slogans and shouted ‘Go Zubin Go Back’ slogans. Eyewitnesses reported that some graffiti “Go Zubin Go Back” were also displayed at various places. Massive protest demonstrations were held against the concert which lasted for an hour.
Pertinently, Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani had called for anti-Mehta concert protests after Friday prayers and a civil curfew on Saturday against the event.

 

Video

The Gaza Crisis and the Global Fallout... Read More
 

FACEBOOK

 

Daily horoscope

 

Weather