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| | Grand Mufti calls for 2-day strike, Khanyar Chalo | | |
SRINAGAR, June 27: The Grand Mufti of the state Mohammad Bashiruddin today claimed that destruction of Dastgeer Sahib Shrine in a fire incident in the old city has been a result of a pre-planned ‘criminal’ conspiracy. Bashiruddin, while accusing the government of destruction and distortion of vital evidence, called for a two-day shutdown in the valley, beginning from tomorrow.
A Friday march to Khanyar has already been called by the Grand Mufti. A spokesman of Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Personal Law Board (MPLB) has said that all the representatives of the Board will assemble near Ghanta Ghar (clock tower) in Lal Chowk on Friday and march towards Khanyar.
Meanwhile, Bashiruddin the president of MPLB, while addressing media persons here today, said that though nothing could be said about the cause of fire at the Shrine at this stage but the Government should have waited for debris clearance till the police and other investigating agencies collect evidence at the site of occurrence.
His deputy Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam who accompanied the Grand Mufti said, “The government must come clean on the issue and issue a statement regarding distortion of the evidence at the gutted shrine.”
“The distortion of evidence has taken place (by washing the gutted shrine compound and clearance of debris overnight), it is a very serious issue for us. The Chief Minister said the government will reconstruct the shrine but we do not need his help as we have enough resources to build a new one. But what we want is that culprits of the fire incident should be identified and brought to book,” Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam demanded.
Bashiruddin, who read out a statement on behalf of the Supreme Court of Islamic Shariat, said they are not ruling out a “conspiracy”. “A deep conspiracy cannot be ruled out in burning of the shrine. Since the shrine was known for religious congregations and conferences, some vested interests had developed spite which was evident from threatening spreading fast on internet. The people should remain vigilant about these elements and defeat their nefarious designs.”
The Grand Mufti blamed laziness and insensitivity of Wakaf Board for the fire incident saying: “It has come to fore that its (Wakaf Board) incapable and weak administration is responsible for this unfortunate incident. Wakaf Board has always remained busy in collecting money and it has never been serious about the safety if these shrines. On the other hand the government has always been devoting its men and machinery for the whole year for other fronts. We are not averse to that but it should have understood its responsibilities towards safety of these revered shrines.”
Bashiruddin said that people do not expect any outcome from the government constituted probe committee as according to him this is a routine exercise which will not fetch anything but disappointment.
“I find it my religious duty to constitute a committee of religious scholars and clerics to audit the safety of shrines in Kashmir and inform the people accordingly. I direct the administration to immediately strengthen security apparatus of our revered shrines including Dargah Hazratbal, Khanqah Mohalla Makhdoom Sahib, Naqashband Sahib, Chrar-e-Sharief, Pakharpora shrine, Ash Muqam and Baba Reshi Sahib Shrine. The administration should keep a vigil on every visitor in these shrines,” he stressed.
The Grand Mufti also directed Wakaf Board to fulfill its religious obligation and not allow every tom dick and harry to visit the shrine and address the devotees there. “I also demand that holy relics of the Dastgeer Sahib and other valuables of the shrine should be exhibited on Friday to common people for their satisfaction. I appeal all the people including religious scholars and political leadership to support the Khanyar march on June 29,” the Grand mufti appealed.
He was accompanied by Hilal Ahmad War, president Peoples Political Party. “The government has destroyed the vital evidence at the site of occurrence and the government must come clean on the issue,” War demanded. |
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