Separatist Asiya Andrabi addresses Hafiz Saeed rally over phone, triggers controversy

Srinagar, Aug 16: Chief of radical women's outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Asiya Andrabi, has stoked a controversy by addressing a rally organised by Mumbai mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamat-ud Dawa in Pakistan.

In her telephonic address to the rally, organised in Lahore on August 14, Andrabi greeted the people of the neighbouring country on their Independence Day. Saeed was seen sitting on the stage during Andrabi's address.

Hours before her address, the DeM chief had celebrated Pakistan's Independence Day at her residence. Dozens of DeM activists had gathered in Bachpora area of the city where they celebrated Pakistan's Independence Day.

Andrabi's telephone address triggered a controversy with BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit president Jugal Kishore demanding strict action against her.

"These are instances of treason and will not be tolerated at all...Asiya Andrabi should be arrested. I expect that she would have been arrested by now and a case of treason would have been registered against her."

Congress spokesman RPN Singh demanded that concrete action should be taken against those working against the state.

"The NSA-level talks are slated to be held on August 23-24. A lot of talks have happened and the government claims about a breakthrough. But, with the terrorists attacking India, there is an urgent need to take concrete action against them, whether it is Hafiz Saeed or Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi via these talks with Pakistan."

JKNPP leader Harsh Dev Singh noted that this was not the first time that Andrabi has indulged in such acts.

"I don't understand why these people have been given a long rope by the present government in J&K. They ought to have booked the culprits by now, because it's not the first time that Asiya is indulging in such kind of anti-national activities... So, we feel unnerved by the government's approach in taking action against people like her."

Andrabi had earlier also celebrated Pakistan's National Day on March 23 this year and hoisted the flag of that country, following which the police had registered a case against her under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

PTI