SRINAGAR — The candidature of at least 36 candidates including the prominent religious cleric, Sarjan Barkati, who had filed their nomination papers to contest the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in the first phase, has been rejected.
An official quoted by the news agency KNO said that 279 candidates had filed nomination papers in J&K for the first phase of elections, of which 244 have been accepted while 36 have been rejected.
He said that the nomination form of Sarjan Ahmad Barkati, who is in jail in a 'terror' funding case, has also been rejected.
Besides that, the nomination papers of Dr Bari Naik, who had filed nomination papers for the Devsar Assembly segment have also been rejected.
Social activist Aadil Nazir, who was accompanying Sugra Barkati daughter of Sarjan Barkati to file nomination papers on Tuesday, said that they would challenge the decision of rejecting the candidature in the court.
Soon after the news spread, people from different walks of life visited the residence of Sarjan Barkati in Reban Shopian to express sympathy.
PDP candidate for Zainapora constituency, Ghulam Mohiudin Wani and former MLA Aijaz Mir also visited his residence.
Gh Mohiudin Wani on the occasion said that in 1987, the same thing was done by NC that gave rise to militancy and militants like Salahuddin were born. He said that in a democracy, everyone has the right to contest elections and vote, adding that the nomination papers of Barkati shouldn't have been rejected.
Former MLA Aijaz Mir, who is fighting elections as an independent candidate, claimed that he had thought he would extend his support to Sarjan Barkati, adding that he would raise his voice in his favour if voted to power.
Former Chief Minister and JKPDP president, Mehbooba Mufti asked the Election Commission of India to make the reasons public for this decision.
"Sorry to hear about the rejection of the Assembly nomination form of Sarjan Barkati from Zainpora. The Election Commissioner must make the reasons public for this decision. Democracy is a battle of ideas, and everyone should be given a chance to participate in it," Mehbooba said in a post on X.
Pertinently, the first phase of the Assembly election will be held on September 18 for 24 seats including 16 in South Kashmir and eight in the Jammu region.
This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse
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