‘Hurriyat Conference never opposed elections’
Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Oct 4: Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today said that the amalgam never opposed the elections and called on regional political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to set aside personal interests and unite to safeguard the rights of the people.
During a Friday sermon at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz criticized local political parties for failing to come together on a single platform.
He urged them to join hands after election results and protect the rights of the people through the Legislative Assembly.
“Now that the elections are over, whatever the results may be, whatever is left of the Assembly, whether it has any weight or not, all must unite. Have some shame. Keep your personal interests aside,” he said.
The HC chairman noted that while people turned out to vote in the recently concluded elections, the Government should reflect on why they voted. He emphasized that the Assembly’s powers had already been significantly reduced.
“Since 2019, the Government has taken one-sided steps, humiliating Kashmiris by stripping away their rights. People fear for their land, jobs, water, and electricity. Today, our resources are no longer in our hands,” he said.
He also reiterated that the Hurriyat Conference was never opposed to elections, but opposed the belief that elections alone couldn’t solve the Kashmir issue. “Elections can address civic issues like water, electricity, and roads, but they cannot resolve the larger Kashmir dispute. That requires a resolution-oriented approach,” he said.
Mirwaiz reaffirmed the Hurriyat’s stance on peaceful dialogue, stressing that the solution to the Kashmir conflict could not be achieved through violence. “Our position remains clear-this issue must be resolved at the table through dialogue, not force or guns. For that, this Hurriyat Conference will always raise their voice,” he said. He added that while disagreements exist, the Hurriyat has no enmity with anyone. “We want this issue resolved through dialogue, and we are ready to support it,” he added.
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