BJP’s Attack on Religious Freedoms: Mirwaiz’s Bold Stand against State Control in IIOJK

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and the chief cleric of Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, has fiercely condemned a new directive issued by India’s Modi regime. This directive mandates that caretakers of mosques must seek prior approval from the Waqf head appointed by the Indian government before delivering Friday sermons.

Farooq has labeled this move an outright attack on the religious rights and freedoms of the Muslim community in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He believes that such a directive is not just an intrusion into religious affairs, but an alarming attempt to control and suppress the Islamic faith in the region.

In a statement released in Srinagar, Farooq expressed his concern over the directive, stating that the BJP-led administration is overstepping its boundaries. The directive forces mosque caretakers (mutawalis) to seek permission from the state-appointed Waqf head before conducting religious services, a move that he argues goes beyond the legal scope of any Waqf Board.

The Mirwaiz emphasized that this action exposes the true agenda behind the Waqf Amendment Bill, recently introduced in the Indian Parliament by the BJP. He accused the BJP of using these measures to tighten its grip over religious institutions and undermine the autonomy of IIOJK’s Muslim leadership.

The chief cleric described the directive as an intolerable infringement on religious freedom. He made it clear that this move would be met with strong opposition from the Muslim community, who would not tolerate such interference in their spiritual practices. He also expressed his solidarity with Indian Muslim leader Asaduddin Owaisi and other vocal critics of these oppressive policies, highlighting the importance of standing together to defend religious rights.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also took aim at the broader political climate in India, criticizing the “communal narrative” being propagated, especially in election-bound states. He argued that the BJP’s relentless attacks on Muslims through speeches, advertisements, and legislation were only deepening insecurities and alienation among the Muslim-majority population in IIOJK.

The Mirwaiz’s words reflect the increasing anxiety and distrust among the people of IIOJK, who fear that their religious and cultural identity is being deliberately targeted and suppressed by the Indian government. The BJP’s actions, he warned, are fueling tensions and raising alarming questions about the future of Muslims in the region.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s condemnation of the directive is not only a defense of religious freedom but a strong call to resist any efforts to control religious practices in IIOJK. This directive serves as another example of how the BJP seeks to assert control over every aspect of life in IIOJK, especially in matters of faith. The Muslim community’s response will be crucial in the fight to preserve their religious rights.