Mirwaiz Umar Says House Detention Continues After Raising Civil Liberties Concern
Taking to social media platforms, the Mirwaiz expressed concern over the restrictions, stating that his house detention had continued unabated throughout the week. He said that the police deployment and barricades had effectively prevented him from carrying out his religious duties at the mosque and elsewhere
SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric, Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq, remained under house detention for the sixth consecutive day on Friday, preventing him from addressing worshippers at Srinagar’s historic Jama Masjid.
According to the Mirwaiz, a large deployment of security personnel continues to remain stationed outside his residence in Srinagar’s Nigeen area, with barricades erected around the premises to restrict his movement. As a result, he said, he was unable to travel to Jama Masjid to deliver the customary Friday sermon.
Taking to social media platforms, the Mirwaiz expressed concern over the restrictions, stating that his house detention had continued unabated throughout the week. He said that the police deployment and barricades had effectively prevented him from carrying out his religious duties at the mosque and elsewhere. Describing the action as arbitrary and authoritarian, he argued that such measures curtailed freedom of movement and speech and stood in contrast to official claims of a return to normalcy in Kashmir.
The authorities have not issued any formal explanation for the restrictions imposed on the influential cleric. However, some officials, speaking privately, have cited security considerations as the reason behind the decision to confine him to his residence.
The Mirwaiz, however, believes the restrictions are linked to remarks he made during his address at Jama Masjid last Friday. In that sermon, he referred to a recently published report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) on Jammu and Kashmir, which examined issues relating to political detainees, civil liberties, and the need for meaningful political dialogue and reconciliation.
Addressing worshippers during his customary post-Friday discourse on current affairs, the Mirwaiz had emphasised that while the decline in violence across J&K was a positive development, sustainable peace could only be achieved through justice, reconciliation and the restoration of public confidence in institutions. He argued that lasting stability requires not only improved security conditions but also the protection of fundamental rights and greater political engagement with the people of the region.
He also called for the release of political prisoners and advocated a constructive political process capable of addressing public aspirations. According to the Mirwaiz, meaningful dialogue and reconciliation are essential if a region that has endured more than three-and-a-half decades of conflict is to move towards enduring peace, stability and development.
