Organisers of 'Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir', a parallel show to Zubin Mehta's proposed concert, today accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of "sabotaging" their event by denying permission to it.
"We have not been granted permission (till 4.00 PM) by the District Administration (Srinagar) for holding the concert Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir tomorrow," Khurram Parvez, the convenor of the civil society backed event, told reporters here.
Parvez said if the authorities do not permit 'Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir', the civil society members will hold a peaceful sit-in protest at Municipal Park, the venue for their event.
He said it seems unlikely that permission will be granted for their event as the Deputy Commissioner had asked questions which were not pertinent.
"We were asked to provide the guest list. Our event is open to all and we expect more than 3,000 people to attend it. As such, it is not possible to provide the list of invitees," Parvez said.
He claimed while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah committed publicly to permitting the event if held peacefully, the decision on the matter has been taken by the police chief and intelligence officials.
"It has once again proved that the Chief Minister has no powers and the state is ruled by security agencies," he alleged.
Noted Kashmiri poet Zareef Ahmad Zareef said it was ironic that while every facility is being extended to the German Embassy's event to celebrate the music of Zubin Mehta, the government was not even allowing the "sufferers of Kashmir conflict the opportunity to wail over their miseries".
"We have made a beginning and we will assemble here tomorrow again," Zareef, who has turned down the invitation for Mehta's concert, said.
