Kashmir an issue of right to self-determination: Shehla Rashid

Calling for a political resolution of Kashmir, former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) vice president Shehla Rashid Monday said Kashmir was an issue of the right to self-determination of the people.
Addressing a news conference here, Shehla said Kashmir was not a human rights issue or an issue of terrorism but an issue of the right to self-determination of the people.
Taking a dig at the State government, she questioned why gun was being used as the first response toward youth.
Shehla highlighted several issues regarding the academic system, revocation of SRO 202 and justice for Kathua’s eight-year-old Gujjar child, Asifa Jan.
Expressing solidarity with people “fighting on the streets”, she said the way they were being treated was absolutely “horrendous”.
“The way pellets are being fired toward students of women’s colleges, and shells fired at youth and women is absolutely condemnable,” Shehlasaid.
Criticizing the government’s approach toward people,she said while the State keeps telling people to give up violence and arms, it should also give up violence.
“The students and youth are fired at and the government keeps talking about bringing people toward the mainstream although it does not have any policy about engaging them,” Shehla said.
Questioning the government’s policy, she said where was the government’s surrender policy?
“Why is the State government not able to convince people to surrender and why a gun is always the first response,” Shehla said.
Questioning why youth were being killed in Kashmir, she said BJP was trying to polarize 2019 polls because it was left with no agenda.
About the rape and murder of Asifa, Shehlasaid, “We have seen different political parties suppressing the voices of the people demanding justice for Asifa.”
She said these parties were trying to polarize the State for votes and appealed Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to take action against organisers of these rallies.
Raising the issue of SRO 202, Shehla said it was an assault on the dignity of employees and appealed the CM to revoke it unconditionally and at the earliest.
“The probation period of five years is something which is completely unheard of, which also violates equal pay for equal work,” she said.
Shehla said a salary of Rs7000 was completely unfair to employees as it only violated the dignity of people.
“We have seen the salaries of MLAs doubled from Rs80,000 to Rs1,60,000 but an employee working under SRO 202 living on the salary of Rs7000 is unjust,” she said.
Shehlasaid Kashmir was in crisis and called upon the government to forth policies that encourage the youth.
Talking about Farooq Ahmad Dar, who was tied to the bonnet of a vehicle by the Army and used as a human shield a year ago,she said he was still in trauma even after one year and these were the things that alienate the youth.
“He was out to vote, not to protest, and the act was shameful,” she said.
Shehla also took a dig at Kashmir’s education system stating that the system was completely unorganised and needs to be corrected.
“Postponement of KAS mains exams on regular basis makes the youth suffer,” she said. “The JKSSB exams scheduled for April 29 are coinciding with JKPSC exam that is unacceptable.”
Shehla said she had met the university students and appeal the government to restore student union elections.
She was accompanied by former JNUSU president, Mohit Pandey, former JNUSU General Secretary Rama Nagaa and student activist Pirzada Shakir.

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