Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Faces House Arrest Again
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Synopsis
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the senior religious leader and chairman of Huriyat Conference, revealed that he has been placed under house arrest again, which restricts his ability to conduct congregational prayers. This action is seen as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and weaken Muslim institutions in Kashmir.
Key Takeaways
- Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been placed under house arrest.
- This restriction prevents him from offering prayers in congregation.
- He is pursuing legal relief for his house detention.
- Mirwaiz traditionally delivers sermons at Jama Masjid in Srinagar.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs has banned the Awami Action Committee.
Srinagar, April 18 (NationPress) Senior religious leader and Huriyat Conference (HC) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, announced on Friday that he has been placed under house arrest by the authorities, preventing him from participating in congregational prayers during the day.
On the platform X, Mirwaiz Farooq expressed, “Every Friday I am subjected to arbitrary house arrest! This action is a means of exerting pressure on me to remain silent, while also aiming to undermine the significance of Muslim institutions in the valley—the Jama Masjid, the office of the Mirwaiz, and to inflict collective sorrow on Muslims and all who oppose this authoritarian and sectarian perspective. My case regarding house detention is still pending in court, where I am seeking relief from the Hon’ble High Court; however, in these challenging times, patience is our only strength.”
Traditionally, Mirwaiz delivers the Friday sermon at the Jamia Masjid located in the Nowhatta area of old Srinagar. He is also the head of the Anjuman-e-Nusratul Islam, a religious body that operates several educational institutions in Kashmir, including the Islamia High School in the Rajouri Kadal area of Srinagar.
Last month, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) designated the Mirwaiz-led Awami Action Committee (ACC) as a banned organization for five years. The ACC was established in 1963 during the Holy Relic agitation led by Mirwaiz Maulana Mohammad Farooq. Following the assassination of the elder Mirwaiz in 1990 by terrorists, leadership of the ACC passed to his son, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
The MHA's announcement stated that the ACC has been instigating youth to engage in violence and is acting in ways detrimental to the interests of the state.
As the chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Farooq has experienced the departure of several affiliates. A total of 12 organizations linked to Hurriyat have distanced themselves from separatism, expressing their faith in the Constitution of India.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has declared that “separatism has become history in Kashmir,” suggesting that the unifying policies of the Modi government have eradicated separatism in J&K. He has also proclaimed this as a triumph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'.
