Partial strike in Kashmir on knighthood to Rushdie
Srinagar, June 22: Life was partially affected today due to one-day general strike called by Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen (JuM) militant outfit in protest against the award of a British Knighthood to India-born author Salman Rushdie.
Many other religious, separatists and political parties had, however, urged people to protest against the award after Friday prayers in their respective areas.
The Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Maulana Mufti Mohammad Bashir-ud-din Ahmad, also condemned the award saying Rushdie was ''liable to be killed'' for rendering ''gravest injury'' to the sentiments of the Muslims across the world by writing against Prophet Mohammad.
He urged the Queen and her government to withdraw the award and also apologise to the Muslim world for conferring the knighthood on Rushdie.
Shops and business establishments in the down-town and civil lines, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, remained closed. Though most of the shops and other business establishments in the outskirts and uptown areas remained open.
Traffic was also affected on some routes. There was less attendance in the educational institutions while work in government offices was also affected.
The strike was also supported by state unit of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) of Ram Vilas Paswan.
The valley witnessed protests by different separatist, religious and political parties in protest against the award to Salman Rushdie, whose 1988 novel ''The Satanic Verses'' outraged Muslims worldwide.
Carrying banners and placards, the protestors denounced Rushdie, Britain's Queen Elizabeth and her government.
Rushdie was awarded the knighthood for services to literature, in Queen Elizabeth's birthday honours list, published on Saturday.
Several religious, separatist and militant organisations have condemned the award and said the act as an ''insult'' to Islam.
UNI
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