Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 22: Over a dozen organizations including political parties, trade and travel bodies called for a shutdown in Kashmir for tomorrow as a form of protest against the attack on tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran.
PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today called for a shutdown in Kashmir as a form of protest against the attack on tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran.
The call was later supported by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led Mutahida Majlis Ulema, Grand Mufti J&K, National Conference and others.
Mehbooba stated that the Chamber & Bar Association Jammu have called for a complete shutdown tomorrow in protest against the horrific militant attack on tourists, urging people in Kashmir to support.
“I appeal to all Kashmiris to unite in solidarity to support this bandh as a mark of respect for the innocent lives lost in the brutal assault in Pahalgam,” she said.
She added, “This isn’t just an attack on a select few-it is an attack on all of us. We stand together in grief and outrage and strongly support this shutdown to condemn the massacre of innocents.”
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“On the instruction of the party president, JKNC joins the collective call for a bandh in strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. We appeal to the people of J&K to ensure the hartal called by religious and social leaders is a complete success,” the NC stated.
Mirwaiz Kashmir Moulvi Umar Farooq in a post on X, said that Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU) in support and solidarity with the bereaved families of those killed, appeal to people of Jammu Kashmir to peacefully protest this heinous crime tomorrow by a shutdown.
“Whoever kills an innocent soul…it is as if he had slain mankind entirely (Al Quran). Another day of carnage in the blood soaked history of Kashmir when visiting tourists in a most gruesome manner are mercilessly killed. Hapless people of Kashmir know the pain and grief of such tragedies for those who lost their loved ones today. Such gruesomeness is abhorred in Islam, which is essentially a religion of peace and goodwill , and against all human ethics . The Islamic fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir through Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU) in support and solidarity with the bereaved families of those killed appeal to people of Jammu Kashmir to peacefully protest this heinous crime tomorrow by a shutdown,” Mirwaiz wrote.
Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam also called for a shutdown to express solidarity with the victims.
Peoples Conference (PC) president and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone supported the shutdown call by business and travel associations and silent protests across all villages and towns.
“I appeal to people of Kashmir to express their outrage in whatever form against the brutal killings in Pahalgam. I personally support a shutdown by business and travel associations and silent protests across all villages and towns,” Sajad wrote.
KTMF has called for a Kashmir bandh call reflecting collective expression of grief and protest against this inhuman act.
“We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families and reiterate the urgent need to preserve the sanctity and safety of our land. Let this bandh be a unified voice for peace, justice and the protection of all who visit and live in the valley.”
The shutdown call has also been jointly issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashmir (CCIK), Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club (JKHC), All Travel Associations, Transporters, Restaurant Owners, and Civil Society Groups.
Tariq Rashid Ghani, President of CCIK, stated, “We have called for a Kashmir bandh on April 23 against this barbaric act of violence.”
He emphasized the need for a collective response to condemn such atrocities and to stand in solidarity with the victims.
The decision is supported by major stakeholders in the tourism sector, which has been deeply affected by the killings, Ghani said.
Tourism industry leaders have said that the Pahalgam attack is a “desperate attempt to destabilize the region and harm its flourishing tourism industry.”
The Private Schools’ Association Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) said it will observe one day of mourning and protest on Wednesday.
“In light of the tragic events, all private schools of Jammu and Kashmir will remain closed tomorrow as a mark of respect and solidarity with the families of the victims,” PSAJK said.
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