J & K govt gives permission to parallel cultural meet

 Jammu and Kashmir government today gave permission to Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir (Reality of Kashmir), a parallel event to acclaimed conductor Zubin Mehta's concert, tomorrow.

"We have granted permission to them for holding the show from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm," Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Shah told PTI.

He said the event will be held at the Municipal Park.

Earlier in the day, organisers of 'Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir' accused the authorities of "sabotaging" their event by denying permission to it.

"We have not been granted permission (till 4.00 PM) by the District Administration (Srinagar) for holding the concert Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir tomorrow," Khurram Parvez, the convenor of the civil society-backed event, told reporters here.

Parvez said if the authorities do not permit 'Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir', the civil society members will hold a peaceful sit-in protest at the Municipal Park.

Noted Kashmiri poet Zareef Ahmad Zareef said it was ironic that while every facility is being extended to the German Embassy's event to celebrate the music of Zubin Mehta, the government was not even allowing the "sufferers of Kashmir conflict the opportunity to wail over their miseries".

"We have made a beginning and we will assemble here tomorrow again," Zareef, who has turned down the invitation for Mehta's concert, said.