 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 24: The criminal silence of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) legislators and ministers over the appointment of Dr Aziz Hajini as Secretary Jammu Kashmir Academy of Art Culture and languages (JAACL) has evoked severe criticism. Hajini, it is believed, has links with the separatists and also nurtures separatist tendencies.
Hajini was shortlisted for the post by the previous coalition Government led by Omar Abdullah. His appointment by the incumbent Government has surprised, rather disappointed the concerned quarters.
Hajini has been active on the cultural front and headed a federation of 22 cultural organisations, Adbee Marker Kamraz. The Markaz has been frequently holding cultural functions, often `graced' by separatists including Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Shabir Shah and Nayeem Khan.
A photograph in possession of Early Times shows Umer Farooq sharing stage with Dr Aziz Hajini to release the 14th edition of "Anwar-e-Mohammadi" by Late Fazil Kashmiri. The function was held on July, 11, 2013.
Sources close to coalition reveal that the decision to appoint Hajini as Secretary AACL was reportedly not taken in the Coordination Committee of BJP-PDP. "Even Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu, who is also Cultural Minister, was critical to the appointment of Dr. Abdul Aziz Hajni as Secretary of JKAACL, due to his closeness with separatists but Cultural Minister's resentment was overlooked", sources said, adding that Haseeb Drabu was in favour of a Kashmiri Pandit, a cultural activist for the post.
Hajini has resigned from presidentship of Markaz after assuming charge of JKAACL. |
