New Delhi: The Election Commission has approved the candidacy of pro-separatist and imprisoned cleric Sarjan Barkati from Ganderbal in Central Kashmir for the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Sarjan was the face of 2016 violence triggered by Burhan Wani’s killing. His candidature was earlier rejected from the Zainpora assembly constituency in Shopia. The hardline cleric will take on former chief minister and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah.
Abdullah was defeated by another pro-separatist jailed politician Engineer Rashid in the Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla.
Who is Sarjan Barkati?
Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, widely known as Sarjan Barkati, is a hardline cleric who was arrested last year under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and is currently in jail. He was initially arrested in 2016 for his involvement in the unrest that followed the death of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani. He was booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) at that time.
Barkati had filed his nomination papers for the Ganderbal and Beerwah constituencies after his candidature was rejected for Zainpora.
According to the chargesheet presented earlier this year, Barkati — an active proponent of terrorist-secessionist ideologies — is accused of conspiring with others, including his family members, to promote and incite terrorist and separatist activities through his inflammatory speeches. The chargesheet alleges that through these speeches, he has incited and provoked youth to join terrorist groups.
