Srinagar, Jan 2: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Molvi Umar Farooq, on Friday said he was once again placed under house arrest and prevented from delivering the Friday sermon at the historic Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, forcing him to address the people through social media instead.
In a detailed message marking the first Friday of 2026, the Mirwaiz said the previous year had been marked by fear, grief and uncertainty for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He referred to the Pahalgam incident as a deeply traumatic event that shook the entire region and was widely condemned by the people of Kashmir. However, he said the aftermath created widespread fear and anxiety as civilians were targeted and several homes were demolished.
The Mirwaiz said the subsequent escalation between India and Pakistan once again exposed the fragility of peace in the region. Despite unilateral decisions taken in 2019, he said the Kashmir issue continues to keep the region in a state of uncertainty, with the risk of turning into a major crisis at any time. “Wars here do not end; they are only paused,” he remarked, adding that the space for dialogue has steadily shrunk.
Referring to the deadly blast in New Delhi towards the end of the year, the Mirwaiz said the loss of innocent lives was deeply unfortunate and further worsened the situation for Kashmiris. He said mistrust between Delhi and Kashmir has increased rather than diminished, while what he described as “enforced silence” is being portrayed as public consent, even as grievances remain unaddressed.
The Mirwaiz expressed concern over the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, withdrawal of constitutional guarantees, changes in laws and fears of demographic change, stating that these developments have intensified the sense of insecurity and identity loss among the people. He said a pervasive atmosphere of despair and helplessness prevails across society.
He also criticised the ban on the Awami Action Committee under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2025, describing it as a blow to peaceful engagement and dialogue. He said the curbs on political and religious expression have left little space for dissent, with disagreement increasingly being labelled as anti-national.
The Mirwaiz said he has been denied permission to hold press conferences, move freely or meet people without official clearance. He added that even his access to the pulpit of Jamia Masjid — regarded as Kashmir’s key religious and spiritual centre — has been severely restricted. According to him, he was placed under house arrest on 14 Fridays in the past year.
Explaining the change in the identity of his social media platforms, the Mirwaiz said the move was made under pressure following the ban on Hurriyat-linked organisations, to prevent a complete communication blackout. He stressed that the step did not reflect any shift in his political or ideological position.
Rejecting allegations of compromise, the Mirwaiz said his commitment to the people of Kashmir remains “non-negotiable.” Recalling the assassination of his father more than three decades ago, he said he has never sought personal security at the cost of principles.
Stating that his role as Mirwaiz was not about power politics, he said it was about representing the aspirations of the people and advocating peace, coexistence and reconciliation. He noted that he had engaged with leaders across the political spectrum, including former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, in pursuit of dialogue.
The Mirwaiz asserted that lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir is possible, emphasising that Kashmiris are inherently peace-loving. He said meaningful dialogue, conducted in good faith and within the framework of humanity and democracy, remains the only viable path forward.
