By IANS,
Srinagar : Syeda Asiya Andrabi, the chief of women’s separatist group, ‘Dukhtaran-e-Milat’ (Daughters of Faith) Tuesday dismissed as “malicious propaganda” media reports that her 18-year old son wanted to study abroad.
“It is malicious propaganda against me since enemies of our freedom struggle could say nothing else to malign my person,” Asiya told IANS.
The chief of the women’s separatist group said she had been invited by Pakistan government in January this year and in order to undertake the visit, she had applied for a passport but her request was rejected by the Indian authorities.
“Since under the Islamic law, a woman cannot undertake any travel without being accompanied by her father, brother, husband, a major son or a close male relative, my son Muhammad bin Qasim applied for a passport as well.
“As he was not invited by the government of Pakistan, he applied for a passport on other grounds citing the purpose of studying abroad in the relevant passport application form.
“Indian authorities rejected his passport on the grounds that he was the son of a terrorist and as such could not be given a passport,” Asiya said.
She vehemently denied reports that her son wanted to study abroad as conditions were not favourable for Kashmiri youth to continue their education here.
“He has applied for an integrated BBA/MBA course in Kashmir University and we are waiting for his final selection,” she said maintaining that in no case would her two sons — the other named Ahmad bin Qasim — study outside Kashmir.
“If ever they go out of Kashmir, it would be in connection with the ongoing freedom struggle here and nothing else,” she asserted.