By Auqib Javeed, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar:- In a shocking video, a high-ranking Kashmiri cleric Qazi Ahmed Yasir from South Kashmir can be seen indulging in extremely objectionable acts in video chats with a female, bringing shame to his entire family and causing anger among the community.
At least two pictures and two videos of the separatist leader from Anantnag have been doing rounds of social media for a few days now, evoking widespread public anger and outrage.
One of the videos is the recording of a video call in which the Qazi can be seen indulging in an objectionable act before the girl while in the other video, Qazi can be seen popping pills during a conversation with the same girl.
Nasir ul Islam, the grand mufti of Kashmir, while talking to reporters said, “When you hold any religious or political position you must know your actions are being watched by others and you are under scanner. But more than that you are role model for others. They trust, believe and have faith in us, adding, “It is premature and inopportune to make any comment when the matter is under investigation. I will be happy if he comes clean but if found otherwise, it is our bad luck and something that is deplorable.”
Apart from being the Chairman of Ummat-e-Islami Jammu Kashmir (UeI), Qazi Yasir also heads the religious seminary Idara-e-Tehqeeqaat (IeT), which runs under the umbrella of UeI.
Removed as Mirwaiz of South Kashmir
Following the scandal, a video of Qazi’s maternal grandfather, Abdullah Shah, has been posted on a news portal run by the Qazi’s younger brother.
In the video, Abdullah Shah, “in the capacity of the patron of Idara and on behalf of the family,” announced that Qazi has been stripped of his “posts”.
“We are ashamed at the allegations against him,” Shah said in the video. “He is being stripped of the posts until the veracity of the allegations is ascertained,” he added. Shah said that if the allegations are proved to be true, the Qazi will have nothing more to do with the family. “The Jama Masjid will continue to run under Idara, however,” Shah added.
It is a conspiracy, family says
The family had earlier called a presser and told media that Yasir’s image is being tarnished by the fake propaganda and accused a Jammu-based newspaper of publishing a story based on propaganda.
“We don’t even know who is behind it, and with what intentions, we have no idea about his political affiliations or his supporters,” Qazi’s brother Shubli told the media. “But we have registered a legal process against those who are behind this and are hopeful that legal investigations won’t let us down,” he added,
Yasir pursued his primary education from Hanfiya High School in Islamabad, but soon after his father, Dr Qazi Nisar was assassinated by unidentified gunmen in Dialgam village on June 19, 1994, he was titled as the head preacher of South Kashmir by Mufti Rasheed, the head Mufti of South Kashmir. He went to Al Jamiat Ul Ashrafiya to receive Islamic education and stayed there for six years. Later, he moved to the Aligarh Muslim University, where he completed his graduation in Islamic Studies and also received his master’s degree in Islamic studies.
Yasir, the father of two kids, was also the Chairman of Islamic Research Institute and chief spokesman of Muttahida Ulema I Ahli Sunnat, an amalgam of 47 religious organisations of the state. Yasir and Ummat e Islami worked for relief and rehabilitation operations during the catastrophic floods that hit the state in 2014.
Yasir’s father Qazi Nisar was the Mirwaiz of South Kashmir and founding member of the Muslim United Front (MUF), an amalgam of socio-political organisations. Nisar was very active in ‘rigged’ 1987 elections during which he became popular for his fiery speeches.
The video comes at a time when the #Metoo moment is gaining momentum in Kashmir with more and more girls coming out and naming and shaming men.
Despite repeated attempts, the cleric didn’t receive and/or respond to phones calls.