KC-EU condemns restrictions imposed by India on religious freedom in IIOJK
Brussels: Ali Raza Syed, Chairman Kashmir Council Europe (KC-EU) has condemned restrictions imposed by BJP-led Modi Government on religious freedom in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir (IIOK) including ban on procession of last Friday of Ramazan in main Jamia Mosque of Srinagar.
The Kashmir Media Service quoted Ali Raza Syed as saying that lockdown of main Jamia Masjid of Srinagar on the occasion of Jumatul-Wida is a condemnable and world community should take cognizance of this brutality.
Ali Raza said, “Lockdown of Jamia Masjid of Srinagar is not acceptable” as it is against the international norms related to religious freedom. “Putting locks on the Jamia Mosque of Srinagar and preventing Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from leading the last Friday of Ramazan is the worst violation of the religious rights of Kashmiri citizens”, he said.
He added that it is not for the first time, while the Indian government is continuously violating the religious rights of Kashmiri Muslims and they are facing such severe situation since 1947.
The Chairman KC-EU demanded the International Community to pressurize Indian government to allow the religious practice in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Ali Raza also said, main religious gatherings including last Friday of Ramazan and congregations of EIDs in occupied Kashmir are banned for many years. Purpose of India by such unacceptable acts is to stop voice of Kashmiris struggling for their right to self determination.
He said, beside ban on the religious and political gatherings, the Indian authorities are also involved in brutal crimes against the humanity in the occupied Kashmir.
“Extra judicial killings, forced disappearances, assassinations of youth in fake encounters, sexual assaults against women etc. are being committed for many years by the Indian forces in occupied Kashmir,” he claimed.
