In Kupwara, Geelani reiterates election boycott call

Kupwara, Nov 8 (KMW): Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani on Friday reiterated his poll boycott call in Kupwara town urging people to completely boycott the upcoming Assembly and Parliamentary elections.
“Participation in election is harmful to our freedom movement. We should refrain from it. I want you all to join the door-to-door poll boycott campaign and urge others not to participate in elections,” Geelani said while addressing a public rally in the main town at Tehreeke Chowk Kupwara.
Geelani termed the pro-India political parties and their candidates as “agents of New Delhi who play with the sentiments, lives and honour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
He said: “These pro-India parties, whether belonging to PDP, Congress, NC or the Third Front, are products of New Delhi who raise sentimental slogans and urge people to vote for them. But they are all part of India’s structure of occupation in Jammu and Kashmir.”
He said that people should not vote for those “under whose rule their lives, property, honor, dignity and culture are not safe. “Take pledge in front of me by raising your hands that you will not vote any pro-India party under whose rule our lives, property, honor, dignity and culture are not safe,” Geelani urged the gathering.
He also said that the sisters from Kunan Poshpora, Handwara and other Areas have been outraged. “Now we have to exhibit steadfastness and not let them go waste.”
He said that Kashmir is not a border dispute between India and Pakistan and it has to solved in its historical perspective and keeping in view the aspirations of the people. “Any other solution which is thrust on us won’t be acceptable to us. The solution of Kashmir lies in right to self determination.”
He said that Indian stand that Kashmir was its integral part was ‘based on deceit and military might’ while Kashmiris’ struggle was based on principles. Geelani paid tributes to Imam Hussain (AS) and Imam Hassan (AS) and Karbala martyrs.
“Today is Muharram and I appeal entire Muslim Ummah including Kashmiri Muslims to exhibit unity and foil all attempts of those evil elements who want to sow seeds of discord between us.”
Geelani condemned the arrest of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leaders. He also lauded Kupwara people for participating in good numbers in his rally as com-paired to Sopore or Shopian. “I am thankful to the people of Kupwara.”