Hurriyat Leaders Commemorate Burhan Wani’s Legacy on His Martyrdom Anniversary
July 8, 2024Top leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) have marked the 8th anniversary of Burhan Muzaffar Wani’s martyrdom, reaffirming their commitment to the Kashmiri struggle for freedom from Indian occupation.
Burhan Wani, a revered youth leader, was martyred along with two associates in a staged encounter by Indian troops in Kokernag, Islamabad district, on July 8, 2016. His extrajudicial killing ignited a mass uprising across the occupied territory, during which Indian troops responded with bullets, pellets, and teargas, resulting in the deaths of over 150 innocent protesters.
In their statements, APHC leaders, including its incarcerated chairman Masarrat Aalam Butt, and other detained leaders such as Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, and Molvi Bashir Ahmed Irfani, praised Wani for revitalizing the freedom struggle. They highlighted his ability to inspire Kashmiri youth against Indian subjugation and emphasized his deep connection with Islam and Pakistan, which continues to resonate with the Kashmiri people.
The leaders asserted that Burhan Wani’s legacy is deeply rooted in the collective memory of Kashmiri Muslims and that the sacrifices made by Wani and other youth are invaluable assets to the freedom movement. They called upon the Kashmiri people to honor these sacrifices by continuing their struggle against Indian occupation until their goal of freedom is achieved.
The APHC leaders stressed that lasting peace in the region depends on a just resolution of the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Other Hurriyat leaders, including Fayaz Hussain Jafari and Maulana Syed Sibte Shabbir Qumi, also paid tribute to Burhan Wani and other martyrs. They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the cause, dismissing India’s attempts to suppress the liberation movement. They asserted that each martyr strengthens the resolve of Kashmiris and expressed confidence that justice will ultimately prevail for the Kashmiri cause.
These leaders emphasized that Burhan Wani’s enduring legacy will continue to inspire the youth of IIOJK. They recognized his profound contribution and sacrifice as a pivotal chapter in the history of Kashmir’s struggle for freedom.
