Alfaaz – The Words Desk
Srinagar: The nomination papers of Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, aka Sarjan Barkati, on Ganderbal and Beerwah have passed scrutiny, as confirmed by the respective returning officers here on Friday.
The jailed cleric, earning himself the sobriquets of ‘Pied Piper of Kashmir’ and ‘Azaadi Chacha’ for the unique sloganeering during 2016 protests, recently filed nominations from Beerwah (Budgam) and Ganderbal constituencies. The move came after his candidacy was last week rejected on Zainapora segment on the grounds of lack of signature on ‘oath certificate’.
The official confirmation regarding the acceptance of nominations on Ganderbal and Beerwah, as per Alfaaz – The Words, was communicated to the candidate’s counsel by the respective returning officers today.
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.
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