'Were Authorities Pressuring Me to Change My X Handle?': Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Dropping Hurriyat Title
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Synopsis
In a striking revelation, senior religious figure Mirwaiz Umar Farooq talks about the pressure from authorities to alter his X handle, shedding light on the challenges faced by separatist leaders in Kashmir. This article explores the implications of such actions on communication and political discourse in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Mirwaiz Umar Farooq faced pressure to drop the title of Hurriyat Chairman.
- Authorities threatened to suspend his X handle if changes were not made.
- The APHC has been defunct since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
- Life in Kashmir has returned to normal without separatist interference.
- The Awami Action Committee has also been banned.
Srinagar, December 26 (NationPress) Senior religious leader and chief priest of Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, disclosed on Friday that he faced pressure from authorities to remove the title of 'Hurriyat Chairman' from his profile on X, stating that the circumstances left him with no real choice.
Mirwaiz Umar expressed on X, “For a while, I have been urged by the authorities to alter my X (previously Twitter) handle as Hurriyat chairman, particularly since all members of the Hurriyat Conference, including the Awami Action Committee that I lead, have been banned under the UAPA, rendering Hurriyat a prohibited entity. If I failed to comply, they threatened to suspend my handle.”
“In a time when public spaces and communication channels are heavily restricted, this platform remains one of the very few available to me to connect with my people and convey my perspectives on pertinent issues to them and the global audience. Under these circumstances, I faced a Hobson’s choice,” stated Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
The Mirwaiz was the inaugural chairman of the separatist coalition, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), established in 1993. This coalition included separatist political factions, traders’ organizations, and civil society entities. The APHC identified Kashmir as a 'dispute' and called for the implementation of United Nations resolutions on Kashmir.
Post-2019, following the abrogation of Article 370, the APHC was declared a banned entity, with all its members being scrutinized by intelligence agencies to uncover their origins and financial backing, which were linked to Pakistan and intermediaries of the ISI outside Pakistan.
Since 2019, the APHC has ceased to function, with its members gradually distancing themselves from the separatist agenda promoted by the coalition.
Previously, all separatist initiatives, including strikes and protests, were announced by terrorist organizations utilizing the APHC as their platform.
After Jammu and Kashmir came under direct Central governance in 2019, public demonstrations, strikes, and separatist marches organized by the APHC have faded into history.
Life in Kashmir, including education, commerce, tourism, and other activities, is now proceeding normally without interference from separatist elements.
The Awami Action Committee (AAC), founded by the late Mirwaiz Maulana Mohammad Farooq, father of Mirwaiz Umar, in 1963 during the Holy Relic agitation, was initially a separatist organization and has also been banned.
Point of View
We recognize the delicate balance in reporting on sensitive issues like separatism in Kashmir. While Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's situation is complex, it's crucial to approach this narrative with an unbiased lens, acknowledging the realities faced by leaders and the impact of governmental actions on public discourse.
NationPress
31/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Mirwaiz Umar Farooq pressured to change his title?
He was pressured due to the banning of the Hurriyat Conference and its constituents under the UAPA, which made it imperative for him to drop the title to avoid losing access to his social media handle.
What is the All Parties Hurriyat Conference?
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference is a coalition of separatist political groups in Kashmir, formed in 1993, advocating for the implementation of United Nations resolutions regarding the Kashmir dispute.
What happened to the Hurriyat Conference after 2019?
After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the APHC was declared a banned entity, leading to its constituents distancing themselves from separatist politics and the organization becoming defunct.
How has the political climate in Kashmir changed since 2019?
Since 2019, there has been a notable decline in separatist activities, with normalcy returning to various aspects of life in Kashmir, including education and commerce.
Who founded the Awami Action Committee?
The Awami Action Committee was founded by the late Mirwaiz Maulana Mohammad Farooq in 1963 during the Holy Relic agitation.
