Srinagar, Dec 6: Molvi Omar, a prominent religious leader, has claimed he was placed under house arrest today, preventing him from delivering the Friday sermon and leading prayers at Jama Masjid.
“As I was about to leave for Jama Masjid for the Friday sermon and prayers, I was verbally informed that I am under house arrest and won’t be allowed to go,” Moulvi Omar said in a statement.
Raising concerns over the timing of the restrictions, Molvi Omar questioned whether the move was linked to the 32nd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition or his recent criticism of the wave of mosque and shrine surveys being conducted in the region. “Is it related to the 32nd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition today, and the wave of Masjid and Shrine surveys that we raised our voice against? Anyone’s guess,” he remarked.
The house arrest has drawn reactions from several quarters, with many interpreting it as part of a larger trend of restrictions on religious and political leaders in the Valley. Authorities, however, have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
The incident comes at a time of heightened sensitivity surrounding the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary and ongoing developments in mosque and shrine management in the region.
