Srinagar, Mar 21: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday expressed anguish over the denial of permission for Eid prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid, said such decisions need to be reconsidered, and asserted that restrictions at the city’s largest mosque raise questions about the normalcy claimed by security agencies.
The chief minister said he was “saddened” that worshippers were not allowed to offer prayers at the centuries-old mosque in the city centre.
“Peacefully, Eid prayers have been offered in the whole of Jammu and Kashmir. Unfortunately, once again, Eid prayers have not been allowed in the historical Jamia Masjid of Srinagar. I feel very saddened by this,” CM Omar Abdullah told reporters.
He said there was a disconnect between the ground situation and the assessment of law enforcement agencies.
“The security and law enforcement officials who are in charge of security and law and order repeatedly say that the situation is normal. But what kind of normalcy is this? Eid prayers are not allowed in the largest mosque in Srinagar,” he said.
The chief minister expressed hope that the authorities would revisit such decisions.
“I hope that such decisions will be changed and people will be allowed to offer their prayers freely,” he said.
CM Omar also referred to the impact of rising prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other petroleum products, saying the economic burden was affecting households across the country.
“We are seeing the effects of LPG and oil all over the country. Tomorrow, prices will rise. How much negative impact will it have on our country? It will definitely have an impact,” he said.
He added that the issue had both an economic and a sentimental dimension. “First of all, it will have an impact on sentiments. It will have a sentimental impact on the entire Muslim community. Along with that, it will have an impact on the whole country. Our sentiments are hurt. But for those who find it difficult to run their homes because of LPG and diesel, it will have an impact on them as well,” he said.
The chief minister further added by calling for an end to conflict. “That is why I said that we should have only one prayer from us today—that this unjust war should end as soon as possible, and that peace should emerge again,” he said. (KNS)
