||Black and White Digital News ||

||September 21 ,2024 ||

Kashmir: Hurriyat Conference chairman and religious leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has condemned the Jammu and Kashmir administration for preventing him from fulfilling his religious obligations as the Mirwaiz (head priest) of Kashmir. In a statement, Mirwaiz revealed that he was barred from going to the Jama Masjid in Srinagar’s Nowhatta area for the third consecutive Friday, where he traditionally delivers sermons and leads Friday prayers.

The leader’s house detention, which began in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370, continues to affect his role, contradicting claims made by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who had earlier stated that Mirwaiz was a “free man.” Despite these assertions, Mirwaiz said his movement remains restricted, and no explanation has been provided for his prolonged detention, an act he deems a violation of his fundamental rights.

Mirwaiz criticized the administration’s portrayal of normalcy in the region, stating that such claims are “hollow” and fail to account for his repeated detentions and limitations on his social, religious, and educational activities. He further expressed concern about the impact of his house arrest on his ability to engage with the public and perform his duties as a community leader.

Additionally, Mirwaiz lamented that his detention had prevented him from attending the funeral of Mohammad Shafi Pandith, the first Muslim IAS officer of Kashmir, whom he described as a towering figure. He expressed his condolences but regretted his inability to offer prayers or personally visit the bereaved family.

Mirwaiz plans to file a legal rejoinder in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court regarding his continued house detention, hoping for a permanent resolution to restore his freedom and ability to fulfill his religious duties.