Elections have lost relevance in Jammu and Kashmir, says Mirwaiz

Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday rejected the ongoing Panchayat elections and said holding of any elections has lost its relevance in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Mirwaiz was delivering sermons at Srinagar’s Jama Masjid during the Friday prayers.

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He described the elections as an exercise in futility as the essence of this process lies first in the establishment of democratic principles and institutions. “Neither are any democratic principles being followed here nor have any democratic institutions been allowed to flourish, instead the reverse has taken place by use of extreme arbitrary force and authoritarianism,” Mirwaiz alleged.

“Any electoral process in such a situation becomes a mere eyewash and a means to propagate to outsiders that things are under control and getting normal and also as endorsement of centre’s rule,” he added.

He said that people will resist the elections and stay away while observing a complete shutdown on the polling days as a mark of protest.