Srinagar: Anjuman-e-Nusratul Islam president and the Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq sought direct role of students in building a constructive society in Kashmir while emphasizing on religious scholars , parents, and teachers to help in guiding Kashmir’s future generation towards building a strong and vibrant society based on moral and religious values and ethics.
Mirwaiz was speaking at a seminar titled “constructive society and the role of students” at the auditorium of Islamia Higher Secondary School, Rajouri Kadal in downtown Srinagar in connection with the commemorative program organized by Anjuman Nusratul Islam in memory of its former president shaheed e Millat Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooqand as part of Hafta -e – shahadat.
Recalling the great services rendered by Mirwaiz Farooq (RA) in the field of education in the valley through Anjuman e Nusratul Islam, Hurriyat (M) chairman said that the dedication and affection of the former president towards the growth and betterment of Islamia Higher Secondary school and its various branches is remembered by one and all and is a path for me to emulate.
Referring to the current situation Mirwaiz said it is highly deplorable and unfortunate on the part of the authoritarian state that even students are targeted by them and and are at the receiving end of their repressive policies. taking a dig at the State authorities and Police he said that a direct confrontational approach has been taken against the students as they are treated like an enemy by the state.are Miwaiz said that as all space for peaceful expression of their political aspirations has been choked students being part and parcel of the society and witnessing extreme repression and at times being a target of it ,have been forced to take to the streets which is a cause of grave concern. Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman said at times they even resort to stone pelting to register and vent their anger against the system that is inimical and hostile towards them
Hurriyat (M) chairman said that there is a blanket ban on freedom of expression even inside any school premise let alone in colleges and Universities across Kashmir. He said student activism is a distant dream in Kashmir and no form of deliberation and exchange of ideas and expression of thought is allowed due to the stringent curbs bans and gags put in place by the police and the State authorites in schools, colleges and varsities. With such strict curbs in place for students, authorities have pushed students and youth of Kashmir to wall leaving them with the only option of hitting the streets to be heard.
Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman said that while the situation in Kashmir is volatile with political social and religious curbs and bans put in place to crush the people’s movement now even on the educational front students are being made soft targets by the state which is highly condemnable.
Mirwaiz demanded that students associations should be allowed to revive in schools, colleges and Universities across Kashmir and student activism and freedom of expression be restored and students be allowed to put forth their point of view and aspirations. He said absence of this is leading to the current crisis .
In the seminar, students from more than two dozen schools participated in the competition organised by the Anjuman-e-Nusratul Islam under the topic “constructive society and role of students.” First position was bagged by Hanan of Islamia Higher Secondary School Rajouri Kadal, second position was bagged by Saboora of Islamia High School Safa Kadal while third position was secured by Syed Aga Hadi of Green Valley Educational Institute Ilahibagh. On the occasion, Mansha of Islamia High School Rajouri Kadal and Areeza of Muslim Public School Rajbagh were also awarded with certificates of best performances. The jury panel comprised of Professor Muhammad Sidiq Khuchay, Dr G M Khan, and Muhammad Shafi Khan while as scores of social ,religious activists and civil society members were present also present in the event. The seminar was moderated by Moulana M S Rehman Shams.On the occasion, Mirwaiz also unveiled the Anjuman-e-Nusrat-ul Islam’s Shaheed-e-Milat number 2017, a combination of social, religious and political contribution of Shaheed-e-Milat has been highlighted by renowned writers. (KNS)
