"Delink religious bodies from government" - Prominent citizens of Kashmir

(The Hindu, July 14, 2008)

‘Strengthen peace, harmony in J&K’

Special Correspondent

Role of individuals, groups appreciated

“Delink religious bodies from government”

SRINAGAR: Members of civil society in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday called for sincere and sustained efforts to bring people together for peace and harmony in the State.

After two days of informal deliberations, a joint statement issued by them said: “We, the members of civil society in Jammu & Kashmir, put on record our deep appreciation for the role played by people during recent turmoil despite lapses on part of our political leaders. In spite of certain untoward incidents, it is heartening to note the desire and commitment on part of the people in general to maintain communal harmony. We also appreciate the role of individuals, groups and organisations which contributed towards maintaining peace and harmony.” They called for delinking religious bodies from the government and said, “we believe that in the long run there should be least government and political interference in all the religious bodies. This will be in the larger interest of people of J&K.”

The signatories to the statement included Balraj Puri, M. Ashraf, Mohammad Sayeed Malik, Kumar Wanchoo, Noor A. Baba, Rekha Chowdhary, Indu Kilam, Hameeda Naeem, Shujaat Bukhari, H.A. Siddiqui, Prabodh Jamwal, Imtiaz Mir and Gautam Ambardar.