Srinagar, 6 Sep (KNS): Mirwaiz-Kashmir, Molvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, has expressed strong discontent over his continued house arrest, describing it as an "authoritarian" act by the authorities aimed at silencing him and halting his religious and social duties.
Despite being released from detention in September after a court appeal, Farooq stated that he is regularly placed under house arrest with no explanation.
Statement issued here reads, “It’s another Friday that I was barred from going to Jama Masjid to offer the sermon and obligatory Friday prayers," Farooq said, in a statement issued here "It’s a routine since I was released from house detention last September. I am allowed freedom of movement for a few weeks and then detained at home at the discretion of the authorities, by placing a vehicle in front of my gate. Without being given any reason I am simply informed that I can’t move out.”
He also highlighted how these restrictions have prevented him from performing key religious duties. “In two days, it’s the 3rd of Rabi ul-Awal when as per tradition I am to deliver a relevant religious sermon on the occasion of 'Khawaja Digar' to be attended by tens of thousands of people after a gap of five years due to my house arrest. It does not seem that I will once again be allowed,” said Farooq.
In addition to religious events, Farooq noted that his plans to hold a Seerat conference and a meeting on social issues with the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) were also likely to be derailed by his ongoing detention. “Rumor has it that I will be detained till the end of the UT elections for now,” he added.
Farooq accused the authorities of using repressive tactics, particularly ahead of the elections, including the harassment of local youth.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel“I have been informed that in view of the UT elections, people, especially youth, are being asked to come to their local police stations for surety bonds. This is harassment,” he said.
He criticized the ongoing detentions of political leaders, activists, journalists, and lawyers in Jammu & Kashmir, calling it part of a long-standing pattern of repression. “For the last many decades, we have repeatedly been asking for the release of thousands of youth, political leaders and activists, journalists, and civil society members... But instead, more and more people are persecuted and detained each day,” said Farooq.
He warned that the use of force and intimidation could not create lasting peace in the region. “Putting thousands and thousands of people in detention and jails or under house arrests, snatching their fundamental right to liberty and freedom, you are not ensuring so-called ‘peace and normalcy.’ Unfortunately, you are actually enforcing it by force and intimidating people into silence, which in the long run is unsustainable,” he remarked.
Farooq reiterated his call for political dialogue to resolve the Kashmir conflict. “If our collective aim is peace and normalcy, then resolution of the conflict — political engagement with the aspirations and sentiments of the people of J&K — is the way forward, not apathy and force,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Farooq remained resolute, stating that restrictions would not deter him from pursuing his beliefs. “Restrictions and detentions will not deter me from pursuing what I believe in as they haven’t weakened you in your resolve,” he told his followers, adding that the local media no longer gives space to their viewpoint, Reads the statement.(KNS)