Sunday 19th Jul, 2026
Srinagar, Mar 12: (UNI) Hitting out at the centre for allegedly politicising the situation in the state, the Kashmir-based business community on Tuesday said that ‘attacking socio-religious bodies in the valley was direct interference with the religious affairs of the people’.
“Socio-religious institutions were a part of Kashmiri history and culture. Their role in upliftment of the poor, supporting orphans and imparting education and Islamic values to a majority of the population is unparalleled,” Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I) Vice President Abdul Hamid Mir, who was flanked by representatives of nine other organizations, told reporters during a press conference here on Tuesday.
Mr Mir said that any attempt to weaken these institutions and their leaders by making motivated accusations is being seen as a direct interference in “our religious affairs.”
“We are of the firm conviction that under present abnormal conditions prevailing in the State, the Government shall act more cordially to avoid harassment to Kashmiris,” he said.
He said that a concerted attempt was being made to cause disruptions and provoke the peace-loving population of the valley.
Urging government to take immediate corrective measure for defusing the situation, he said, “Throughout the country, our community is being targeted economically and socially. “A section of social and electronic media are being used to tarnish our image,” he alleged.
Taking a strong note of the notice issued to moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Molvi Umar Farooq by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), he said his (Mirwaiz) family has remained torch bearers providing platform for imparting education, inculcating of spiritual and moral values besides social services in Kashmir valley.
“Besides being Mirwaiz of Jammu and Kashmir, this family (Mirwaiz family) is connected for centuries with the people of Kashmir. Not only do the Muslims of Kashmir but even the Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs have high esteem towards this dynasty since centuries,” he said.
Ten organisations who were part of the press conference included KCC&I, Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Shehr- e-Khaas Coordination Committee, Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTMF(R), Jamia Traders Association, Beopar Mandal S R Gunj, Central Traders & Manufacturers Association, and Kashmir Welfare Transporters Association.