The High Court of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has issued a stern warning to the Modi-backed administration, demanding they explain the restrictions imposed on senior APHC leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, particularly those hindering his religious activities.
According to Kashmir Media Service, while released from house arrest last September, Mirwaiz, a leader from the UN-acknowledged disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, continues to face constraints. He’s been barred from attending Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid and leading religious gatherings elsewhere.
This, he argues, infringes upon his fundamental right to practice his faith. He denounces the administration’s “evasive tactics” when questioned about the curbs, highlighting their lack of transparency.
“After my release in September 2023 from four years of arbitrary house detention, I was only allowed to attend three consecutive Friday congregations in Jamia masjid. Since then I have been prevented from going to Jamia masjid on Fridays or addressing the faithful in any other mosque on religious congregations as the Mirwaiz,” Farooq told in a media interview in Srinagar.
He said authorities use dilly dallying tactics when asked by Anjuman, the managing body of the historic Jamia Masjid, for the reasons for the curbs.
“They say they will check with their higher ups and get back, which they never do. Recently, despite the important religious occasion of Shab e Miraj, I was again not allowed to go to Jamia Masjid,” he said.
With the holy month of Ramadan approaching, Mirwaiz expressed apprehension about his ability to fulfill his religious duties as the Mirwaiz.
Justice Wasim Sadiq Narwal issued “a final deadline” for the administration to justify their actions. He granted them one week, emphasizing, “Failure to file a response will result in the matter being heard on the next date.”—KMS
