Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Warns of Existential Threat to IIOJK, Calls for Unity Against Indian Oppression

Senior APHC leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has issued a grave warning about the existential threats facing IIOJK, urging unity among all communities to resist the ongoing oppression.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), has warned that Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is currently facing an existential threat due to the ongoing measures being implemented by India in the region. Speaking at an event in Badgam, the Mirwaiz highlighted various actions taken by the Indian government that have severely undermined the region’s autonomy and identity. These measures include the abrogation of IIOJK’s special status, the stripping of its statehood, the reorganization of the region into a Union Territory, and the widespread confiscation of land, properties, and cultural identity.

In his address, the Mirwaiz urged all communities in IIOJK, including Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs, to come together in the face of these mounting threats. He emphasized that unity across communities is essential to resist the oppressive policies being imposed on the people of IIOJK, and to safeguard the region’s heritage and rights. His call for solidarity underscored the importance of collective action in the struggle for Kashmiri dignity and self-determination.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also questioned the Indian government’s claims of normalcy in the region, pointing out the frequent restrictions on religious and political activities. He specifically mentioned the repeated lockdowns of the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar and the ongoing ban on Shab-e-Barat prayers, which have now been prohibited for the sixth consecutive year. Furthermore, the Mirwaiz himself continues to face house arrest, a clear sign of the ongoing repression in the region. These actions, he argued, directly contradict the Indian government’s narrative of peace and normalcy in IIOJK.

The senior Hurriyat leader also rejected any proposals for a separate homeland for Kashmiri Pandits, stating that it was crucial for both Pandits and Muslims to live together in harmony and dignity within the region. He emphasized that the future of IIOJK must involve unity and coexistence, rather than division and segregation.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s statement is a powerful reminder of the struggles faced by the people of IIOJK and the critical need for international attention to the ongoing human rights violations in the region. His call for unity is a plea for solidarity among all Kashmiris in the face of escalating repression by the Indian government.