Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 15: In a significant development, Munir Khan, the brother of jailed Hurriyat leader Nayeem Khan, today announced his decision to join the Jammu and Kashmir National People’s Front, aiming to create a new platform for the youth of the region.
This announcement came during a press conference held in Srinagar. Additionally, the party has nominated Munir Khan, originally from north Kashmir, as its candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections for the Baramulla seat.
Addressing the press, Munir Khan emphasized the necessity of embracing mainstream politics over separatist ideologies, citing the detrimental impact of separatism on the valley. “He is my brother, no one can deny it, but in a democratic setup, everyone has a different ideology. He has a different ideology, and I have a different ideology, and both are running on their own paths,” he said.
He further remarked on the existing divisions in the region, cautioning against exacerbating the schism between separatism and mainstream politics. “Rather than perpetuating this division, we must create a platform where mainstream and separatism converge, particularly for the youth, as their future depends on it,” he said.
Explaining his decision to align with a new political outfit, Munir Khan asserted, “We have observed the functioning of various other parties, and I have chosen this smaller party to demonstrate that through the creation of a new platform, we can pave the way for a better future. We cannot afford to stray from the mainstream, as separatism only leads to the filling of graves in the valley.”
Meanwhile, the President of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Nationalist Front, Muzaffar Ahmad, defended Munir Khan’s decision, “his brother’s ideology should not be questioned, as Munir Khan himself has never been involved in any such activities,” he said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel