‘J&K respects all religious, spiritual streams’
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR July 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said those who created trouble in Kashmir have been decimated and their supporters neutralised for establishing peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir.
While addressing the National Convention on “Sufism: A Bridge Between Communities”, at SKICC here today, Sinha said that J&K is the land of Rishis and Sufis which respects all spiritual and religious streams.
“Those who had created trouble in this paradise have been decimated and supporters of terrorism and separatism have been neutralized to establish peace and harmony in the society,” he said.
The LG said Sufism is a way of life that promotes and propagates ideals of communal harmony, love and peace among the people.
“Harmonious relationships among all sects, individuals and a relationship with the whole existence without distinction is real Sufism,” he said.
Sinha called upon the people to embrace the Rishi-Sufi traditions and eliminate all traces of communal divide to strengthen unity.
The LG shared the transformational journey of J&K towards peace, prosperity and inclusive development.
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“Peace is prevailing, nightlife has returned and people are living freely,” he said.
He said that it is a historic occasion today when the Muharram procession was taken out peacefully in Srinagar after a gap of over 30 years.
The LG said that the street violence in Jammu and Kashmir has ended and an era of peace has dawned in the J&K.
He said there were elements who would frequently call for strikes in Kashmir, resulting in loss of business and academic opportunities.
“The street violence has ended in Jammu and Kashmir. Those people are not seen anymore who were responsible for the street violence. I understand that they were victims of some people,” he said.
The LG said some people often gave calls for a bandh for their personal benefits. “Some calls were given from here and some from our neighbours. It would cause huge losses,” he said.
Sinha said peace has come now to Jammu and Kashmir and people can venture out late at night for shopping or recreation.
“Now, people go shopping to Polo View market at 10 pm or the kids go for an ice-cream along the Bund of (river) Jhelum while some play guitar or sing a song. I think the wait of people of Srinagar and rest of Kashmir (for peace) has ended,” he said.
Sinha said development cannot happen in a disturbed area. “When there will be peace, we can set new standards of development. There has never been, and never will be, any development in disturbed places. I want to request you all to contribute to this,” he said.
Sinha said the youth of Kashmir have started to aspire and dream again. “They have proved themselves not only locally and nationally but at the global level as well,” he added.
Prof. Qayyum Husain, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Srinagar gave a detailed overview of the Convention.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Padma Shri Dr SP Varma; Vice Chancellors of various Universities; senior officials of UT administration; prominent citizens, students in large numbers attended the inaugural ceremony.
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