Srinagar: Grand Mufti of Kashmir Mufti Bashiruddin and People’s Political Party ( PPP) Chairman, Engineer Hilal Ahmad War have addressed a joint press Conference and asked people to assemble at Lal Chowk on Friday to hold a march towards Khanyar where the shrine of Dastgir Sahib gutted in a fire incident on Monday. They have also called for shutdown on June 28.
“Strike will allow people to mourn the loss of the most revered shrine and give them time to give a vent to their angstâ€, the Grand Mufti told when asked if he had changed his stand on hartals.
The Mufti clarified that his aim is not to create any disturbances or law and order problems. However, the Grand Mufti said law and order is the government’s headache.
While replying a question, PPP chief, Hilal War, lashes out at Government for destroying the evidence by washing the shrine spot and asked Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah to explain why he has ordered to wash out the shrine in order to destroy the evidence? Both Grand Mufti and Hilal War pledged to fight together till the culprits would be brought to book.
In a scathing attack on the government Mufti Bashiruddin said the government failed to consult him before ordering a probe or clearing up the material from the gutted site.
“Religious matters are our concern, not the governments’. They should have consulted usâ€, he said. “They feel government will last forever, which it does notâ€, an agitated Mufti told over phone.
Mufti Bashiruddin also said he smells conspiracy in the incident of fire at the Dastgir Sahib Shrine. He also held government responsible for the incident. “Government is responsible and the Wakf Board is responsible for the incident of fireâ€, said the Mufti.
“If there were people from security agencies, how did this happenâ€, said the Grand Mufti adding he was not pointing fingers towards any on.
Casting aspersions on the circumstances under which the fire broke out at the shrine, the Grand Mufti said, “If government and Wakf people remain there round the clock, I fail to understand how it could happen in their presence. I can’t understand how fire broke out from three sides simultaneouslyâ€, added the Grand Mufti.
When there was no electric supply how could short circuit happen and that too on three sides, asked the Grand Mufti.
Mufti Bashiruddin also hit out at the government over what he calls ‘traditional approach towards investigating such a sensitive matter’. “They should have included someone from among us in the probe committee. They did not consult or contact me eitherâ€, said the Grand Mufti.
He also criticized the government for cleaning up the gutted shrine site without completing the forensic investigations.
Mufti Bashiruddin also expressed his anguish over anonymous facebook threats against the religious heritages and shrines of the valley. “The government must identify and arrest such mischievous elementsâ€, said the Mufti.
When asked why he changed his stand on hartals when he had himself gone against strikes in 2010, the grand mufti said a message needs to be conveyed. “Let Muslims tell government and people who are against the religious heritages and shrines that they cannot tolerate the gutting of a mosque. “Strike is no big deal, let people express their emotionsâ€, Mufti Bashiruddin said.
