The Hindu : We are still relevant, says Hurriyat leader

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 15, 2003

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National

We are still relevant, says Hurriyat leader

By Our Special Correspondent

Umer Farooq

NEW DELHI MARCH 14. The former Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, today reiterated that the Kashmir problem was a political one and it could be solved only through dialogue.

Addressing a Friday congregation at Jama Masjid here, he called for building a conducive atmosphere for talks with the Centre. Any negotiated settlement of the issue should keep the India's as well as Pakistan's interests in mind.

``On one hand the Centre wants the Hurriyat to engage in talks and on the other its leaders are labelled as terrorists and accused of speaking on behalf of Pakistan.'' The Hurriyat Conference was talking to everyone in the State to solve the Kashmir issue.

The Centre was trying to give a communal colour to the organisation by creating an impression that the amalgam was talking only to the Muslim community, he said.

Stressing that the Hurriyat Conference was still relevant though the Congress-PDP Government had assumed office, the Mirwaiz said: ``We are still very much there. The Hurriyat does not mix religion with politics. The impression has been created only by the Government.''

He charged the Union Government with pursuing anti-Muslim policies.

The Hurriyat Conference had formed the Mutahida-Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) in the Valley to counter the propaganda of the communal forces to close Madrassas.

Muslims were ready to face any threat or challenge posed to them.

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