Srinagar, Dec 28: A senior political functionary of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC), Imtiyaz Rashid Chashti, on Saturday resigned from the party’s basic membership, expressing strong objection to recent remarks by the party leadership regarding Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, which he described as “against his conscience”.
Chashti, in his resignation letter addressed to the party president Sajad Gani Lone, said that as a Muslim and a Kashmiri, he holds the institution of the Mirwaiz in the highest religious and moral esteem, beyond the realm of political disagreement. He stated that any expression or narrative that undermines the dignity of this revered institution was unacceptable to him.
He made it clear that his decision stemmed from faith, respect and personal conviction, and should not be interpreted as personal hostility toward the party or its leadership. “Political differences are legitimate and natural, but disrespect toward sacred religious institutions is not,” Chashti wrote, adding that such statements compelled him to part ways.
Chashti said that the Mirwaiz institution represents religious guidance, moral authority and spiritual identity for the people of Kashmir, and its sanctity must be preserved irrespective of political positions. (KDC)
