Kashmir’s Deputy Grand Mufti asks Muslims to demand separate country

SRINAGAR:Deputy Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir Nasirul Islam today alleged that Muslims in India were being “harassed” under pretexts such as love jihad and cow vigilantism.nnHe also asked the ruling PDP to break its alliance with the BJP, and seek the removal of “draconian laws” such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).nn”Muslims are being harassed under various pretexts such as love jihad and cow vigilantism… They are being targeted,” the cleric told reporters here.nnHe also alleged that Muslims in the country were living a “pathetic” life and that they should demand separate country.nn”In India, Muslims are the second largest community. Pakistan was formed with a population of 17 crore.nnIf it continues like this, then they should demand a separate country within India,” Islam said.nFollowing the remarks, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in Punjab, said: “I also want to appeal to those plagued with mentality of casteism, religion and minority should come out of it and they need to ponder over it. All should believe that we are Indian.”nnOn the PDP-BJP coalition in the state, Islam said, “Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti should seek the removal of draconian laws such as the AFSPA from the state and also break her party’s alliance with the BJP.”nnThe cleric also alleged that the chief minister’s assurance in the Legislative Assembly that the probe into the Shopian killings will be taken to a logical conclusion was an “eyewash”.nnTwo civilians were killed in army firing on stone pelting protesters in Shopian on January 27.nnSource: Press Trust of India