News Analysis India

Tag: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

  • Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat condemns ‘forcible closure’ of Jamia Masjid in Srinagar

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: The Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Saturday condemned the “forcible closure” of the historic Jamia Masjid here by authorities, disallowing thousands of people to offer congregational Friday prayers.

    The managing body of Jamia Masjid had on Friday claimed that authorities did not allow congregational prayers there by deploying security personnel in large numbers.

    It also said that that police personnel “forced” employees to close all gates of the mosque and no ‘namazis’ (devotees) were allowed inside.

    “Hurriyat Conference strongly condemns the forcible closure of Jamia Masjid, Srinagar by the state authorities for congregational Friday prayers,” a statement said.

    It said the earlier pretext of closing the mosque to prevent the spread of COVID-19 stands totally exposed.

    “The grief and deep hurt this reprehensible act causes people, who for decades have been offering prayers in this central mosque, cannot be expressed in words.

    “The environment created in J&K by the rulers is so suffocating and intimidating that no one dares (to) raise their voice to ask why even the basic right to offer prayers is denied,” the Hurriyat said.

    It alleged that all efforts are being made to silence the people of Jammu and Kashmir into submission.

    “The recent continuing crackdown in every nook and corner of the valley has seen arrests of more than a thousand people so far, picked up by the authorities, and then illegally detained on criminal charges and draconian laws,” it said.

  • Hope formation of new Afghan govt will end four decades of conflict: Hurriyat Conference

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: The Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Thursday expressed hope that the formation of the new government in Afghanistan will put an end to four decades of conflict and uncertainty in the country.

    The Taliban swept across Afghanistan last month, seizing control of almost all key towns and cities in the backdrop of withdrawal of the US forces that began on May 1.

    It took over Kabul on August 15 and on Tuesday, unveiled a hardline interim government led by Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund.

    ​ALSO READ | Uncertainty has spread everywhere; current developments in Afghan one such example: Rajnath

    Hoping that the new dispensation in the worn-torn country is inclusive and broad based, the Hurriyat said it must bear in mind that Islam as a religion is unambiguous in advocating human equality and rights, economic fairness and religious tolerance as foundational values.

    “After the unfolding of confusing and chaotic events in Afghanistan during the past month, the Hurriyat hopes that the formation of the new government will put an end to four decades of ceaseless conflict and uncertainty,” the amalgam said in a statement here.

    The Hurriyat said the amalgam understands that no two conflict regions are the same and the differences between Afghanistan and Kashmir are well-known.

    ALSO READ | Delhi HC refuses to allow man to go to Afghanistan, says bleak chance of returning

    However, “we in Kashmir can surely empathise with the common people of the country who also have been living in a state of acute uncertainty for 40 years”, it said.

    “Long term uncertainty takes its toll and we hope that people of Afghanistan will come out of it soon.

    We also hope that as the country begins the process of building its own future and realising its aspirations, all regional and international member countries will extend their support to it,” the statement said.

    The Hurriyat wishes the citizens of Afghanistan peace and progress in their land and stability for the region, the separatist amalgam said.

  • Syed Ali Shah Geelani: Lone voice of opposition to Musharraf’s four-point formula to resolve Kashmir issue

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR:   Senioror Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, known for his hardline approach, breathed his last at his residence in Hyderpora, Srinagar on Wednesday evening.

    He was 92 years old. According to his family, his health condition worsened on Wednesday afternoon and he passed away at 10.30 pm. Geelani, who was under house detention since 2010, had been suffering from various ailments for a very long time.

    He was known for his hardline ideology and advocated J&K’s accession to Pakistan. He was heading a Hurriyat faction since 2003.

    The Hurriyat Conference, an umbrella of different separatist groups, was formed in 1993. However, owing to differences, Geelani in 2003 split the Hurriyat Conference into two.

    He headed one of the factions, which was known for its hardline stance while Mirwaiz Umar Farooq headed another faction (a more moderate faction). G eelani was a member of Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir but later quit Jamaat to found his own party—Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.

    He spearheaded the 2008 Amarnath land row agitation, 2010 and 2016 uprisings in the Valley. He was opposed to bilateral talks with India and favoured tripartite talks involving Pakistan, Kashmiri leaders and India.

    He was the only Kashmiri leader who opposed former Pakistan military ruler General Parvez Musharraf’s four-point Kashmir formula.

    When an all-party delegation visited his Hyderpora residence during the 2016 agitation, he refused to meet them. G eelani, who was born on September 29, 1929 in Sopore, was an MLA from Sopore constituency of Jammu and Kashmir in 1972, 1977 and 1987.

    However, after the eruption of militancy, he joined the separatist politics and remained a popular leader among the masses, including the youth.

    In November 2010, the police invoked sedition charges against Geelani, Arundhati Roy, activist Varavara Rao and three others in an FIR in connection with a speech calling for freedom for Kashmir.

    The authorities have sounded high alert across the Valley in light of his death. Security forces have been beefed up to prevent acts of violence. Internet services were suspended until further notice.

    The mainstream leaders including former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Gani Lone condoled his death.

    “Saddened by the news of Geelani sahab’s passing away. We may not have agreed on most things but I respect him for his steadfastness & standing by his beliefs. May Allah Ta’aala grant him jannat & condolences to his family & well wishers,” tweeted PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti.

  • Hurriyat demands release of Mirwaiz, alleges no one allowed to meet him

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR: The separatist conglomerate Hurriyat Conference on Thursday demanded the release of its chairman and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who has been under house arrest since the abrogation of Article 370 by the Centre on August 5, 2019.

    “Mirwaiz is under house detention since August 5, 2019 and none is allowed to visit and meet him,” said a Hurriyat Conference spokesman.

    He said three Hurriyat executive members Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Lone and Masroor Abbas Ansari were denied permission to meet Mirwaiz at his Nageen residence, where he has been under detention since August 5, 2019.

    According to the Hurriyat spokesman, mobile bunkers and armed vehicles have been deployed at the main gate of Mirwaiz’s residence. “The CRPF and police personnel have partially blocked the road towards Mirwaiz’s residence from both sides and no one is allowed to go inside.”

    ALSO READ | I wish to see Kashmir as paradise on earth, says President Kovind at varsity convocation

    While Mirwaiz is under house detention, over a dozen separatist leaders including Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah and Nayeem Khan are lodged in Delhi’s Tihar jail and many other separatist leaders and activists are also under detention.

    The separatist camp has gone silent after the revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. The hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has already quit the Hurriyat faction led by him.

    Alleging that all human, fundamental rights and civil liberties of Mirwaiz stand completely curbed for the last two years as he has been caged inside his home, the Hurriyat spokesman demanded his leader’s immediate release from the arbitrary house detention.

    He appealed to all rights activists and organizations and democracies of the world to ensure Mirwaiz’s release and the restoration of his human rights.

    Mirwaiz, who used to lead Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar, has not offered a single Friday prayer at the Jamia since August 5, 2019 due to his continued detention.

  • Mirwaiz Farooq under detention for last 20 months; not released even during Ramzan: Hurriyat

    The Hurriyat leader was detained at his house on August 4, 2019, a day ahead of the Centre announcing the abrogation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir #39;s special status.

  • Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq remains under house arrest, not allowed to lead Friday prayers

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR: Senior separatist leader and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq continues to be under house detention since August 5, 2019, and restrictions on his movement have not been lifted by the authorities, Hurriyat spokesman said.

    The authorities had yesterday conveyed to Mirwaiz that restriction on his movement has been lifted and he was a free man.

    The Hurriyat spokesman informed that police officials visited Mirwaiz’s residence last night to convey that he will continue to be under house arrest and will not be allowed to visit the Jama Masjid to offer Friday prayers or address the congregation there.

    Additional forces have been deployed outside Mirwaiz’s Nageen residence in Srinagar and the area has been converted into a garrison.

    “Some police deployment outside Mirwaiz’s residence had been withdrawn yesterday but today additional forces were deployed. There is heavy police deployment in all the roads leading to Mirwaiz’s residence,” the spokesman said.

    Mirwaiz, who leads the moderate faction of separatist conglomerate Hurriyat Conference,  has been under detention since August 5, 2019, when the BJP-led central government scrapped Articles 370 and 35A, which granted special status and special privileges to J&K residents and bifurcated J&K state into two Union Territories (UTs).

    After Article 370 revocation, Mirwaiz was briefly detained and lodged at a government guest house but a week later was shifted back to his Nageen residence, where he has been under house arrest since then.

    Mirwaiz has also not been allowed to offer Friday prayers in a mosque. Prior to his detention, he had been giving Friday sermons at historic Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar, which is his stronghold.

    The Hurriyat spokesman said the decision to continue Mirwaiz’s house detention has hurt the sentiments of people as they were eagerly awaiting his release from arbitrary house arrest.

  • Govt went back on its decision to release Mirwaiz Umar Farooq: Hurriyat Conference

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: The moderate Hurriyat Conference on Friday claimed that the Jammu and Kashmir authorities have gone back on their decision to release its chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from preventive custody.

    On Thursday, a close aide of Farooq had claimed that curbs on the movement of the Mirwaiz had been lifted.

    The administration, however, neither confirmed nor denied it.

    “Hurriyat Conference expresses strong resentment and regret that after announcing the release of it’s chairman and Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Umar Farooq from a 20-month-long house detention since August 2019, government authorities went back on their decision,” a Hurriyat spokesperson said on Friday.

    The spokesperson claimed that police officials visited the Mirwaiz at his residence late Thursday night to convey that he continues to be under house arrest and will not be allowed to go to the Jamia Masjid for Friday prayers.

    “Since early morning, additional forces have been deployed outside his house,” he alleged.

    The spokesperson said the Hurriyat strongly condemned this flip-flop.

    “Recently in Parliament, the minister of state for home affairs had categorically stated that no one in Jammu & Kashmir is under house arrest.

    If that is so, then why does the Mirwaiz continue to be detained,” he asked.

    The spokesperson, however, appealed to people to not lose hope and in no way resort to any form of violent protest.

    The Mirwaiz, who is also the chief priest of Kashmir, was among hundreds of political leaders — both separatist and mainstream — who were taken into custody or placed under house arrest as the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 of the Constitution 19 months ago.

    While most leaders were released by March last year, some including the Mirwaiz continued to be under detention.