JK Assembly Polls: Jailed Cleric Sarjan Ahmad Wagay Files Nomination on Beerwah, G’bl Constituencies

Alfaaz – The Words Desk

Srinagar: Jailed cleric, earning himself the sobriquet of ‘Pied Piper of Kashmir’ and ‘Azaadi Chacha’ in the backdrop of 2016 protests, has filed nominations from Beerwah (Budgam) and Ganderbal constituencies.

Wagay, whose papers’ were last week rejected on Zainapora segment on the grounds of lack of signature on ‘oath certificate’, has garnered support from different sections of society, subsequently motivating his family to file the paper not on one but on two seats – Beerwah (Budgam) and Ganderbal.

A native of Zainapora in Shopian, Wagay was a prominent face during the protest rallies in the South Kashmir districts of Shopian and Kulgam after the killing of Burhan Wani in 2016.

Barkati was arrested in October 2016 and was released four years later. He was arrested again in August 2023, in connection with an alleged militant-funding case. Later, his wife was arrested too.