Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, addressed the Friday congregation at Srinagar’s Jama Masjid, condemning the “disturbing” harassment faced by Kashmiris studying and working across India following the Delhi blast. He emphasized the urgent need to halt this mistreatment, attributed to their identity, and noted that press freedom is increasingly under threat. The cleric described the Nowgam blast as a tragic and avoidable incident.
In his remarks, Mirwaiz highlighted reports of harassment from various locations, including Himachal Pradesh, where Kashmiris residing in housing colonies have been singled out and questioned. He called on authorities to protect Kashmiris from targeted violence and ensure their safety.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also commented on the adverse perception of Kashmiris post-blast, indicating that only a small group was responsible. He expressed concern that a narrative is emerging that unfairly implicates the entire community, complicating their interactions beyond Kashmir.
Mirwaiz further criticized the recent raids on the Kashmir Times office in Jammu, lamenting the targeting of press freedom. He stated that dissenting voices are frequently labeled as anti-national, which weakens democratic institutions. He referenced the legacy of Ved Bhasin, the founder of Kashmir Times, and noted that actions against the media are “extremely unfortunate and uncalled for.”
Addressing the Nowgam blast that resulted in over nine fatalities, Mirwaiz called the situation “extremely painful” and claimed it could have been prevented with responsible handling and storage of seized materials. He urged accountability for those responsible and insisted on the need for a prompt investigation report.
Additionally, Mirwaiz criticized the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited’s proposal to impose a 20% surcharge on electricity during peak hours, labeling it as “a grave injustice” amid ongoing economic distress for the people. He expressed concerns that such tariffs, imposed just before winter, exacerbate hardships, opposing the government’s alleged commitment to provide 200 units of free electricity to the underprivileged.
Notably, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has faced repeated house arrests, often to prevent him from leading Friday prayers or engaging in political activities. These restrictions have intensified since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
The blast near the Red Fort metro station on November 10 resulted in 13 casualties, and the Union government has classified it as a “terrorist incident.” The individual believed to have driven the explosive-laden vehicle was identified as Umar Nabi, a resident of Kashmir. The aftermath has seen increased profiling and intimidation of Kashmiris across India, particularly affecting students and travelers from the region, along with ongoing detentions and raids within the Valley.
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