Srinagar, Oct 15: The separatist leaders in Indian administered Kashmir on Saturday slammed Indian social activist Anna Hazare for terming Kashmir as an integral part of India.
“The followers of Nathu Ram Godse are trying to hoodwink people by posing as Gandhi (Father of Indian nation). In 1998, Hazare came to Srinagar and during a meeting with me had spoken about the Indian atrocities in Kashmir but his statement on Kashmir surprised everyone,” pro-independence Mohammad Yasin Malik said.
He said in reality, Hazare is still wearing right-wing RSS knickers under Gandhi khadi.”
“He is trying to project himself as a follower of Gandhi but his recent statements on Kashmir show that he is actually a follower of Gandhi’s killer Nathu Ram Godse. The corruptive Hazare and his team are claiming to be fighting against terrorism and it is one of the reasons India is able to hold onto Kashmir,” he said.
He said Hazare is only exposing his double standards by singing the tune of integral part despite knowing all these facts.
Meanwhile, the spokesman of hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani also slammed Anna Hazare terming him as a fake baba (sage) and his statement on Kashmir as a “joke and far from reality.”
“For over the past six decades, India has thrust its occupation on Kashmiris and is denying them the right to freedom through its military power. Not only does this amount to a grave human rights violation but also a sign of corruption and social injustice,” he said.
“The Supreme Court lawyer and member of the Hazare’s anti-graft campaign, Prashant Bhushan had exhibited pragmatism by advocating the right to self determination for Kashmiris.” Today, he stands much higher in stature than Anna Hazare and respect for him has grown further in the eyes of justice loving people,” he said.
“It is not just about Anna Hazare but when it comes to Kashmir even towering personalities in India like Mahatma Gandhi have preferred the so-called national interests over truth. In fact, when Muslims were slaughtered in lakhs in the Indian administered Kashmir during 1947, it was Gandhi, the apostle of non-violence, who kept silent over the carnage,” he said.
“Hazare’s statement had only marred his image. His statement would have no bearing on the disputed status of Kashmir,” he added.