Uproar in Lok Sabha over Masarat Alam’s release

The Lok Sabha was briefly adjourned till 11.30 a.m.on Monday after opposition parties tore into the BJP led-NDAgovernment over the recent release of Kashmiri separatist leader Masarat Alam.

The session after the Holi break witnessed a huge uproar with vociferous slogans of “PM Jawaab do” raised by the opposition leaders.

“If Masarat Alam is released, it raises a question on democracy, this release needs to be stopped,” said Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naiduasked Home Minister Rajnath Singh to make a statement on the issue.

“I will request Home Minister to come and make a statement on this. This is not a party’s issue, this is an issue for everyone here and the nation,” said Naidu.

Masarat Alam was released from the Baramulla prison following the new Jammu and Kashmir Government’s policy to free political prisoners who do not face criminal charges.

Alam is the chairman of Muslim League, a constituent of hard-line Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and is widely seen as the latter’s successor.

He had been convicted for organizing anti-India protests resulting in the death of 112 people in stone pelting across the Kashmir Valley in 2010.

Masarat’s release has drawn a lot of criticism from several political parties.