1. Home
2. Front Page

Efforts to project threat to Yatra aimed at discrediting Kashmir struggle: Geelani

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 6/19/2017 2:29:38 PM

SRINAGAR, Jun 18: Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani today said that the media projection of terror threat to the upcoming Amarnath yatra is "a calculated move aimed at maligning and discrediting the political struggle of Kashmir".
In a statement denouncing “misinformation campaign carried by India’s biased media,” Geelani said, “People in Kashmir while continuing with the age-old tradition of providing best hospitality to pilgrims have always been friendly and generous to visitors, particularly with Amarnath Yatris.”
Geelani said that Amarnath yatra is being conducted for decades and the people here have treated these Yatris with unique hospitality and people have always been hospitable, decent and received them as their guests.
Referring to adverse propaganda launched by “Indian media wherein they are propagating that Amarnath Yatris are facing threat from people in the state,” Hurriyat (G) chairman said that terror threat to the upcoming Amarnath yatra is a brazen lie and aimed at maligning the movement.
Geelani said Kashmiris are not against any religion or its followers. However, they are pursuing a legitimate struggle for their fundamental rights.
“People in the last seven decades are demanding right to self-determination to decide the political destiny of Jammu and Kashmir. India and international community are signatory to these resolutions,” he said.
“Fanatic forces in India are desperate to give bad name to freedom movement and as such are relying on negative propaganda and following their fanatical dogma,” said Geelani.
Geelani said government of India and is trying to mislead its people and international community through negative and baseless propaganda. Geelani stressed on people to make aware the Amarnath Yatris about the reality of the struggle of Jammu Kashmir while continuing with the age-old tradition of providing best hospitality to pilgrims.
“Now Delhi and its media has launched a misinformation campaign saying that people in Jammu and Kashmir have ill intentions against pilgrimage and Yatris,” he added.
Geelani, while referring to peoples’ uprising in 2008, 2010 and 2016, said that even in those gloomy circumstances, despite restrictions and curfew, people received the yatris with open arms and provided shelter and food.
“It is our age-old tradition and in future we will follow this tradition with the same spirit and receive these yatris as our guests,” he said.
Geelani, in his statement, while addressing the Yatris said that there is no threat to their life and asked the media to consider the sufferings of the people of Kashmir are facing and urged them to present the “real picture of our struggle before Indians people and make them aware them of the historical background of this dispute.”