Jammu-Kashmir News: Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday claimed he was placed under house arrest for the second consecutive week and barred from offering congregational prayers at the Jama Masjid in Srinagar’s Nowhatta locality. 

Taking to social media platform X, the Mirwaiz stated, “Again disallowed from going to Jama Masjid on a Friday for the second consecutive week. As I raise people’s issues and concerns from the pulpit, as is my duty, it seems to make the authorities jittery and uncomfortable, so lock him up!”  

Again disallowed from going to Jama Masjid on a Friday for the second consecutive week . As I raise people’s issues and concerns from the pulpit as is my duty, it seems to make the authorities jittery and uncomfortable , so lock him up! As if by locking me up issues will… pic.twitter.com/38glbFgO8F

— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) December 13, 2024

He criticised the alleged restrictions, asserting that such measures would not suppress the issues faced by the people. “As if by locking me up the issues would disappear and the reality altered. But an authoritarian mindset can’t think beyond… strongly condemn my house arrest and the imprisonment of thousands of Kashmiri prisoners who are victims of this mindset,” he added.  

Last week, on 6 December, the Mirwaiz had made a similar claim, alleging verbal communication of his house arrest. In a post, he questioned whether the restrictions were linked to the 32nd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. “As I was about to leave for Jama Masjid for the Friday sermon and prayers, I have been verbally informed that I am under house arrest today and won’t be allowed to go to Jama Masjid! Is it related to the 32nd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition today, and the wave of Masjid and Shrine surveys that we raised our voice against? Anyone’s guess,” he wrote.  

“As I was about to leave for Jama Masjid for the Friday sermon and prayers,I have been verbally informed that I am under house arrest today and won’t be allowed to go to Jama Masjid ! Is it related to the 32nd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition today , and the wave of… pic.twitter.com/ZzxmlAe5Y4

— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) December 6, 2024

Meanwhile, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti condemned the alleged house arrest, terming it a violation of fundamental rights. In her post on X, she remarked, “Arbitrary detention has become the norm in Kashmir. Placing Mirwaiz sahab under house arrest every other week is completely unwarranted and a gross violation of his fundamental right to speak and be heard. Really hope good sense prevails upon the authorities to end this pattern of harassment.”  

Arbitrary detention has become the norm in Kashmir. Placing Mirwaiz sahab under house arrest every other week is completely unwarranted & a gross violation of his fundamental right to speak & be heard. Really hope good sense prevails upon the authorities to end this pattern of… https://t.co/R6ihIRoZmO

— Iltija Mufti (@IltijaMufti_) December 13, 2024

No statement was issued by the police regarding the allegations made by the Mirwaiz.

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When Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Alleged 4-Year House Arrest After Abrogation Of Article 370

Previously, Hurriyat Conference chairperson Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had claimed he was placed under house arrest for four years. He was “released” in September 2023. He cried while delivering the Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar. He had sent a legal notice to the J&K administration seeking a factual position over police authorities allegedly denying him permission to lead the Friday prayers.

The J&K administration maintained that Farooq is free to move and is not under detention. Still, he was not allowed to lead prayers at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.