New Delhi: Nearly two months after the Narendra Modi government scrapped Article 370, a group of Muslims, including eminent academicians, former Army officers and activists, have come out in support of the move.
On Wednesday, ‘India First — A group of Muslim Intellectuals’ released a statement, saying, “It is time to honour the established Indian values of harmony and integration.”
Signed by 39 eminent Muslims, the statement said, “It is a moment to converge and not confront.”
Lt General (Retd) Zameer Uddin Shah, former Delhi Waqf Board chairman Zafar Hameed Jung, former Patna High Court chief justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari, and Jawaharlal Nehru University professor and dean of languages Syed Ainul Hassan, are among the signatories.
In its statement, the group also appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a “new Kashmir”.
“Prime Minister’s call in a public rally to embrace all Kashmiris in order to make a naya Kashmir — a new Kashmir — is a statement of substance,” it added.
Message for Kashmir
During a press briefing held Wednesday, the convenor of the group, academician Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed, presented a message from the group for the Kashmiri people.
“Agar Kashmiris ghar se tiranga leke chaley, toh na goli chalegi, na gaali (If Kashmiris step out of their homes with the Indian flag, then there would neither be gunshots, nor would there be abuses),” he said.
Talking about the government’s decision, he said the BJP only stayed true to its age-old commitment to revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
“BJP has always said they would remove Article 370 if they came to power — this has been their constant policy and commitment,” Ahmed said.
He added that no one can label the Indian Parliament’s move as “unconstitutional”.
“The abrogation of Article 370 is a move taken by the Parliament of the country. The Parliament has elected representatives of the country, which makes them the people’s voice,” he added.
Ahmed was earlier the national convenor of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Himayat Committee, which was formed in 2004 to campaign for the former prime minister.
‘India allows people to show their anger’
Responding to ThePrint’s question during the briefing about the communication restrictions in Kashmir as well as the house arrest of mainstream leaders, Ahmed said the Modi government should consider relaxing the curbs.
“The government has put the restrictions in place for a reason, they should review if they are still needed or if the restrictions can be relaxed,” he said.
Emphasising the need for humanity to take precedence over everything else, he said “the country allows everyone to show their anger and voice concerns”.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir have representation in the Parliament,” he added.
Is this real? Muslims – pampered and appeased for 70 years despite their anti-India stance and silence – coming out of their isolation and speaking FOR the nation? Is this the beginning? But I have a pinch of salt ready.
Do you think Kashmiris are Indians only if they come out of their homes with Tiranga in their hands . How many of you do this ? If a western country asks these Bhakts to walk with their flags , they would do gladly if jobs are offered .
If everything is fine.. then why there are restrictions???
India First zindabad, Hindustan zindabad. Leftists murdabad.
Very heartening. These 39 gentlemen should visit the Valley, meet ordinary citizens outside a security bubble, convey this message of national solidarity. Also ascertain how they have been doing over the last two months, what their suggestions are for restoration of complete normalcy.
Why can’t you go and see yourself. Seems like you’re very much hurt seeing Muslims supporting Govt. move on 370?