‘Stop communalizing pandemic situation or be ready for massive communal frenzy’
Srinagar, Apr 23: Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Nasir-ul Islam today urged the Government of India to ensure food and shelter for the thousands of people including stranded businessmen, labourers and students from Kashmir who are stuck in various parts of the country. He said that Covid-19 pandemic shouldn’t be communalized and if that happens, there is every possibility that situation may turn bad to worse as there would be communal frenzy across India.
Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Islam said that here are scores of Kashmiri people including businessmen and students stranded in various parts of India especially Rajasthan, New Delhi, Punjab, Goa and other parts. “There reports that Covid-19 is being given a political and communal colour.
I urge the Government of India (GoI), to ensure proper food, shelter and clothing to the Muslims in need and Kashmiri labourers and business men stranded in various parts of country,” the Grand Mufti said. He said that the GoI in collaboration with the J&K government must also evacuate and airlift all the stranded Kashmiris who are facing financial constraints and other serious issues. “All the stranded Kashmiris should be brought back to Srinagar forthwith and without any further delay,” he demanded.
He said series of reports are pouring in through social media that Muslims living in various parts of country are being threatened, thrashed, and intimidated besides forced to chant “vanday mataram” and other slogans while as they are being blamed for spreading the Pandemic. “This all is happening when Covid-19 is holding its tight grip on India.
“If this continues, I am afraid situation may go out of control and there may be a communal frenzy across India in times of Covid-19,” Mufti Nasir told KNO. He said if J&K government has announced sops for Jammu based lawyers, similar rules be followed for the Kashmir based lawyers too.
“Why discrimination in the first place. Let there be equal treatment,” Mufti Nasir said. The Grand Mufti reiterated his appeal to people of Kashmir that all mandatory five-times prayers and Taraweeh prayers should be offered in homes in the fasting month of Ramadhan
