Polls in Kashmir under occupation

Separatists seek explanation from Salahuddin
Contributed by Editor
Monday, 19 May 2008
‘If participating in elections was a sin earlier then why is it not so in 2008’
Hakeem Irfan
Srinagar May 18: Terming participation in elections as a “sin,” separatists on Sunday sought an
explanation from Supreme Commander of Hizbul-Mujahideen Syed Salahuddin for what they termed as “softened
stand vis-à-vis elections.”
Mushtaq ul Islam who was addressing a seminar organised by Idara Soutul Haq said, “If participating in elections
was a sin in past then why it is not a serious matter in 2008. Salahuddin should refrain from encouraging people to cast
votes.”
Taking strong exception of the recent statement of Salahuddin who also heads United Jihad Council (UJC) conglomerate
of 13 Muzaffarabad based militant outfits, Islam said, “Syed Salahuddin’s attitude these days is dilly
dallying. He should not say that who ever likes he should vote.”
Islam while rejecting the elections said, “To caste vote is haram (forbidden). Vote is not only about development
and economics. It is about our faith and religion.”
The chairman of Islamic Students League Shakeel Bakshi who also addressed the seminar titled ‘Are democratic
Elections an Islamic way,’ said, “Precondition for participating in elections is to accept India as country. By
doing so we will authenticate and strengthen the Indian occupation of Kashmir. Democracy is immaterial as we are living
in an occupied land.”
Bakshi said that Hizb Supremo should “refrain” from issuing such statements which can “hamper the
election boycott campaign.” “Participating in elections is a sin,” he added.
Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani in his address said, “This seminar should act as a message
for the nation that casting vote in favor of the politicians who never follow Islamic laws and are not part of Islamic Sharia
is sin and an un-Islamic practice. It only strengthens the illegal occupation of India in Kashmir.”
Geelani while lashing out on the members of legislative assembly said, “Not a single person is consulted when
laws are made and bills are passed. People in assembly keep the masses busy with roads, bridges, employment and
other minor issues.”
“Our economy is continuously being drained by India and we are politically economically, socially slaves of
India” the veteran leader said.
Geelani while referring to the recent protest by the employees and unemployed youth said “Here people who
protest for their genuine problems get bullets in return.”
Advocate Nazir Ahmad Ronga during his address said, “Islam is complete code of conduct and present
democratic system is unIslamic and inhuman as well. Contemporary democratic process is meaningless
One of the speakers Abdul Majid Madni said, “Indian democracy has given Gujarat back in the hands of killer
Modi, it is democracy where 51 donkeys and rapists come to power instead of 49 humans and intellectuals.”
Rising Kashmir, Daily Newspaper, Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir
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