Appeals for complete shutdown on Feb 9, 11
Srinagar, Feb 06: Terming the Shaheed Muhammad Maqbool Bhat (RA) and Shaheed Muhammad Afzal Guru (RA) as “immortal” heroes of the Kashmir’s freedom movement, the incarcerated chairman of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Shabir Ahmad Shah on Monday said these martyrs gave a new direction to the freedom struggle and have emerged as “heroes” for Kashmiri youths.
In a statement issued to KNS, Shah also appealed for complete shutdown on February 9 and 11 which mark the martyrdom anniversaries of these leaders. “We observe the February 9 and 11 as ‘Youm-e-Tajdeed-e-Ehad’ (Rejuvenation of the pledge) and we are committed to complete the mission of our revered martyrs,” he said.
Reiterating the demand of returning the mortal remains of both martyrs, Shah said, “India must bear in mind that no law in the world justifies harbouring any enmity towards the slain and to return the mortal remains of these two martyrs to families is a moral responsibility of authorities.”
Paying tributes to Shaheed Afzal Guru (RA), Shah said though India hanged him without informing his family, but the martyrdom immortalised his name. “Today, each and every child of Kashmir proudly uses the names of Shaheed Maqbool Bhat (RA) and Shaheed Afzal Guru (RA).”
Shah termed the hanging of Shaheed Afzal Guru (RA) as “murder of law and justice for which the Congress and National Conference are directly responsible who played dirty politics”.
He said Indian Supreme Court’s judgment that Afzal Guru was hanged to satisfy the collective conscience of the nation is a “shame” to humanity. “Even his family particularly the wife and son were not entitled the right of last meet. His hanging is an unforgettable tragedy of human history.”
“Though these martyrs were hanged without being provided justice, their martyrdom gave rise to thousands of Maqbools and Afzals in Kashmir.”
Shah said the killers of the former Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, are in jails but “the so-called champions of democracy were eager to hang Afzal Guru (RA)”. “History counts these rulers and administrators among the brutes.”
The DFP Chairman reierated his appeal to the world leadership, UN, and EU to “use your offices in securing the return of the mortal remains of Shaheed Maqbool Bhat (RA) and Shaheed Afzal Guru (RA) which lie buried in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail”.
“To demand return of the mortal remains of these martyrs, we have been sending reminders and memorandum to UNO, and today, we again appeal to the world leadership and UNO to take cognisance of such human issue,” he said.
Shabir Ahmad Shah appealed the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, to use his influence to convince India to acknowledge and agree to the just and genuine demands of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, on the directions of Shabir Ahmad Shah, a party delegation including Mohammad Ibrahim and Sabit Ahmad visited Bomai, Sopore and Natnusa, Kupwara to pay tributes to the martyred mujahideen Shaheed Sajad Ahmad alias Babur and Shaheed Azharuddin alias Umar Ghazi.
Shabir Ahmad Shah talked to families of both martyrs over phone. (KNS)