‘We will keep Maqbool Bhat’s mission alive’
Amid brisk polling here, Maqboolabad- the native village of JKLF founder Maqbool Bhat who was hanged in Tihar Jail in 1984- maintained its tradition of boycotting the elections “to keep his mission for Kashmir’s freedom alive.”
Bhat’s family had draped their old house with a big banner highlighting his photograph. “Elections remind me and my family of the unaccomplished mission of my beloved son,” said Bhat’s aged mother Shahmala.
“I feel proud to keep my son’s mission for Kashmir’s freedom alive. I have sacrificed my son for the movement and those who vote have betrayed the sacred cause. My son did not lay his life for building property or bank balance but respect and rights of Kashmiris,” she said as the polling station in main township was abuzz with people who jostled to cast their votes.
“The leaders who are contesting the elections under Indian Constitution are traitors. They exploit the problems of the people to compel them to cast their votes. Many youth of our village and other areas have been booked under frivolous cases. Elections cannot end humiliation and sufferings of Kashmiris, rather it will compound their problems,” said Bhat’s niece Mubeena.
Media persons thronged the house for opinion of the family on elections. “My other son Zahoor Ahmad Bhat has been implicated in false cases to prolong his detention. See every corner of our house bears testimony to the harassment by forces and cops,” Mubeena said, showing damages caused to her modest house over the years during raids.
Maqbool Bhat’s nephew Numan Bhat, who studies in 5th standard, keenly observed the hectic movement of media persons to his house. “Am aware that my uncle was killed in Tihar Jail and my father is in jail for demanding Azadi,” he said.
“It is the responsibility of the younger generation of Kashmir to carry on the mission of Maqbool Bhat. I feel proud of his sacrifices. I wish I had more sons so that they could have accomplished his mission,” Shahmala said, gazing at Bhat’s photograph.
