Nomination of Sarjan Barkati Rejected: The Face of Anti-National Protests in Kashmir
ANN NEWS DESK
Reason for Rejection of Nomination of Sarjan Barkati
On August 27, 2024, Sarjan Ahmad Wagay’s authorized representative filed his nomination papers at 2:55 PM, the last filing day, at the office of the Returning Officer, 36 Zainapora. During the examination of the papers, it was discovered that they lacked an Oath Certificate, a mandatory requirement under Section 16 of the J&K Reorganization Act 2019. The certificate, which must be signed by the Superintendent of Central Jail Srinagar, is required because the candidate is currently detained at the facility.
As per regulations, the detained candidate must take the Oath before the Jail Superintendent before the date of scrutiny, and the Oath Certificate must be submitted during scrutiny as set by the Returning Officer. The authorized representative was handed a checklist, signed by the RO, outlining the missing Oath Certificate and other documents, to be submitted by 11 AM on August 28, 2024. However, the required documents were not provided by the specified deadline.
Instead, the authorized representative submitted an incomplete and invalid Oath Certificate via WhatsApp at 1:48 PM, which is not an accepted submission method. Additionally, the submitted certificate was incomplete and lacked the required verification from the Jail Superintendent confirming that the oath had been taken within the stipulated time. Due to the mandatory nature of the Oath requirement under the J&K Reorganization Act 2019, the Returning Officer had no choice but to reject the nomination papers at the time of scrutiny.
Sarjan Barkati: The Face of Anti-National Protests in Kashmir
Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, popularly known as Sarjan Barkati, became a prominent figure during the 2016 protests in Kashmir, often referring to himself as “Azadi Chacha.” Barkati gained infamy for his provocative speeches and seditious sloganeering, which incited unrest and fueled anti-national sentiments in the valley. His chants, such as “Hum kya chahte, Azadi,” “Hum leke rahenge, Azadi,” and “Hindustan ko bolo, Azadi,” became rallying cries for violent protests against the Indian state.
Barkati’s slogans went beyond simple calls for freedom, glorifying figures like Afzal Guru and Burhan Wani, both associated with militancy. Slogans like “Afzal ke sadkey, Azadi” and “Burhan ke sadkey, Azadi” further demonstrated his open defiance of the state. He often declared that “Yeh haq hai hamari, Azadi” (This is our right, freedom), asserting that the demand for freedom was not a plea but a right, intensifying the already volatile atmosphere in Kashmir.
Barkati’s speeches not only promoted seditious ideas but also targeted young boys, urging them to take up jihad against the state, thereby contributing to the radicalization of youth in the region. His influence was not just confined to speeches; Barkati actively participated in protests that often turned violent, positioning himself as a cleric who openly challenged the authority of the Indian government.
His anti-national activities, including incitement to violence and promoting separatist ideologies, have led to his continued detention. Despite his arrest, his legacy as the face of the 2016 protests remains a symbol of rebellion for separatist elements in Kashmir, highlighting the challenges that authorities face in maintaining peace and order in the region.
