BJP’s Oppression in IIOJK Continues with House Arrest of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

BJP’s ongoing repression in IIOJK continues as Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was once again unjustly detained before Friday prayer, further eroding the region’s religious and cultural freedoms.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-installed LG administration in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir has once again placed All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) senior leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest. This move, made today in Srinagar, is aimed at preventing him from participating in Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid and engaging in other religious and social activities.

This is the fourth consecutive Friday that the Mirwaiz has been confined to his residence in Nigeen, as stated by the Anjuman Auqaf of Jamia Masjid. The organization strongly condemned the illegal house arrest, calling it an unjustifiable restriction on the religious functions of the Mirwaiz, who holds deep significance for the Kashmiri people.

The Anjuman highlighted the suffering of thousands of faithful—men, women, children, and even the physically challenged—who gather at the Jamia Masjid in bitter cold to hear the sermon of their revered leader. The authorities’ actions not only violate the religious rights of these devotees but also offend their deep emotional connection to their leader. These arbitrary measures are a blatant attack on the religious freedom of the people of IIOJK.

The ongoing repression by the LG administration, led by BJP-backed authorities, continues to show complete disregard for the religious sentiments of the Kashmiri people. It is clear that the government is willing to use any means, including unjustified restrictions, to control the religious and cultural landscape of IIOJK.

The Anjuman Auqaf denounced these actions, emphasizing that the interference in religious matters is not only an infringement on personal freedoms but a calculated effort to crush Kashmiri identity and spirit. By keeping the Mirwaiz in detention, the authorities are sending a message of dominance, seeking to undermine the cultural fabric of the region.

Such actions are indefensible and deserve universal condemnation. The BJP-led administration is not only violating international norms but also damaging the trust of the Kashmiri people in their ability to practice their religion freely.

It is clear that these measures are more than just about law enforcement—they are an attack on the very soul of Kashmir, designed to suppress any dissent and crush the will of its people.