Says Kashmiris’ silence is not acceptance, slams Delhi’s arbitrary, unilateral actions
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has said that the Kashmir dispute continues to plunge the entire region into a state of perpetual uncertainty, one that could escalate into a major crisis at any moment.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the IIOJK administration, under the New Delhi-appointed Lieutenant Governor, once again placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest today, preventing him from attending Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.
In a detailed video statement shared online, the Mirwaiz confirmed his house arrest on the first Friday of 2026 and expressed deep anguish over the continued restrictions on his movement, as well as growing curbs on political and religious expression in IIOJK.
In the video, the Mirwaiz lamented that instead of delivering his customary Friday sermon from the pulpit of Jamia Masjid, he was compelled to communicate with his followers online due to his confinement. He said that arbitrary house arrests had become a recurring feature of his life, noting that he had been placed under house arrest for 14 Fridays in the previous year as well. He added that his access to Jamia Masjid, the spiritual centre of Kashmir, had been repeatedly curtailed. He also expressed frustration over the severe restrictions imposed on his public engagements. He lamented that he was unable to hold press conferences, move freely, or meet people without official permission.
Reflecting on developments in 2025, the Mirwaiz termed the year as one marked by tragedy, uncertainty and heightened insecurity. He referred to the Pahalgam attack, which he said was followed by anxiety among residents due to targeting of people and demolition of homes. He also pointed to the India–Pakistan military escalation during the year, calling it a reminder of the fragility of peace in the region.
The Mirwaiz emphasized that despite the unilateral decisions taken by the BJP-led Indian government in 2019, the Kashmir dispute remains unresolved, continuing to keep the region in a volatile and unsettled state. He warned that this persistent uncertainty could potentially escalate into a major crisis at any time. He further noted that the trust deficit between Kashmiris and New Delhi had only widened, while enforced silence was being projected as acceptance. The issues, he argued, remained unaddressed, and even the elected government in the occupied territory complained of having limited powers.
He further expressed concern over what he described an existential crisis facing the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, citing fears of demographic changes, withdrawal of constitutional guarantees, and alterations in laws and rules after the downgrading of IIOJK into a Union Territory.
The Mirwaiz also criticized the banning of the Awami Action Committee and Ittihadul Muslimeen, two organisations associated with the APHC. He said that dissenting views were increasingly being criminalized and labelled as “anti-national,” leaving little room for disagreement.
Regarding the recent changes to his social media profile, the Mirwaiz explained that the decision was made to safeguard his only remaining channel of communication with the public. He emphasized that his beliefs and convictions remained unchanged.
The Mirwaiz said he had consistently sought to represent the aspirations of the people, advocate peace and dialogue, highlight the plight of detained Kashmiri youth and leaders, and support the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley.
He concluded by reiterating his belief in dialogue as the only path to lasting peace, stressing peace was only possible if there was sincere willingness to engage. “Kashmiris are natural optimists,” he said, adding that despite the prevailing circumstances, hope for a peaceful resolution remained alive.