Moderate and hardline separatists described the shutdown observed on Monday during Prime Minister's Kashmir rally a "referendum against those who claim the state to be an integral part of India."
"Holding a rally under six lakh guns does not change disputed nature of Kashmir. I commend people of Kashmir for observing a complete shutdown, which is not less than a referendum against those forces who claim J-K an integral part," said hardline Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani.
Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said today's protest by people was against the policies and approach towards Kashmir of the BJP government.
"Indian leadership continues to turn a blind eye towards the real issue and instead talk about development, governance and economic well being as if that will alter anything. For the past sixty years, many economic packages and developmental plans have time and again been announced but that has not in any way changed the fundamental nature of the problem," said the Mirwaiz.
Issuing a statement from the Anantnag jail, JKLF chief Yasin Malik said, "Today’s peaceful protest strike on the arrival of Modi is a clear message to the international community that people of Kashmir stand for freedom movement and no election drama or theater can deter them," said Malik.
{{/usCountry}}Issuing a statement from the Anantnag jail, JKLF chief Yasin Malik said, "Today’s peaceful protest strike on the arrival of Modi is a clear message to the international community that people of Kashmir stand for freedom movement and no election drama or theater can deter them," said Malik.
{{/usCountry}}He asked India and Pakistan to "accept the owner status of people of Jammu and Kashmir and include them in negotiations as prime party to the dispute".