The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, a top Muslim body in India, on Thursday reiterated its stand that “Kashmir is an integral part of India” and added that “any separatist movement is not just harmful for the country but also for the people of Kashmir”.
The Muslim body further said that it is the national duty to protect the democratic and human rights of Kashmiri people.
“Nevertheless, it is our firm belief that their welfare lies in getting integrated with India,” the Muslim body said.
A resolution on this, adopted by the General Council of the Jamiat at its central office in Delhi also said that it is “not unmindful of the desire of the Kashmiri people, their self-respect and the demand for preservation of their cultural identity”.
“The inimical forces and neighbouring country are bent upon destroying Kashmir… The enemy has made Kashmir a battlefield, using Kashmiris as a shield which makes it the biggest hurdle in rescuing the people from the impasse,” the Jamiat resolution stated while attacking Pakistan without naming it.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind leader Mahmood Madani said that there will be no compromise with the security and integrity of the country. “India is our country and we stand by it,” he said.
Condemning Pakistan for attempting to internationalise the Kashmir issue, Madani said Pakistan is trying to project on the international forum that Indian Muslims are against India.
Tensions heightened between India and Pakistan after the Centre’s move to revoke special status to Jammu and Kashmir.