J&K Assembly must confer ‘martyr status’ on victims of terrorism: Renzushah

Srinagar, Aug 05: Prominent socio-political leader Dr Khawaja Farooq Renzushah on Tuesday urged the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to immediately pass a resolution honouring all innocent Hindu, Muslim and Sikh civilians killed by terrorists in the region since 1989, including the recent victims of the Pahalgam attack.As per a statement issued here, Renzushah while speaking to media, stated that the state government must officially recognise these individuals as martyrs, akin to those commemorated on July 13. He emphasised that notable figures such as Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq, Abdul Gani Lone, Qazi Nisar, Ghulam Nabi Lone, as well as thousands of civilians and tourists, merit this recognition—regardless of their religious affiliation or background. Highlighting the heroic act of Adil Shah, a Muslim youth who lost his life protecting Hindu pilgrims during the Baisaran-Pahalgam attack, Renzushah underscored the importance of acknowledging such unity in the face of tragedy through formal state recognition. He called on the government to convene a special Assembly session within the week and to issue official notifications ahead of Independence Day. Renzushah also voiced concern over the ambiguity surrounding the ‘Black Day’ observed by certain mainstream political parties. He criticised the absence of clarity, consensus, and coordination among J&K’s leadership, urging them to unite under a coherent position aimed at restoring the original status of Jammu and Kashmir as it stood before August 5, 2019.