Kashmir's chief preacher Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said the National Conference's (NC) proposed Jantar Mantar protest should extend beyond the demand for statehood to include the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, rights for political prisoners, and a call for peaceful conflict resolution.
Mirwaiz Addresses Friday Congregation
Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, Mirwaiz said he had received an invitation from NC president Farooq Abdullah to join the party's protest scheduled for July 20 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The protest aims to press the Centre for the immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Mirwaiz highlighted that after the “unilateral changes” introduced by the Centre in 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was downgraded from a state to a Union Territory. He said the region's constitutional safeguards were “snatched” from the people, “leaving them vulnerable and disempowered”.
Call for Broader Agenda
“As such, any effort by any political alliance, organisation or individual working for the restoration of the usurped rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is the need of the hour,” Mirwaiz stated. He emphasised that the NC government, which received a mandate from the people on the promise of reviving the pre-2019 status of Jammu and Kashmir, bears the foremost responsibility to pursue the restoration of statehood and Articles 370 and 35A.
Mirwaiz argued that the agitation should also address the plight of political prisoners and youth who have been languishing in jails for years without trial or remain incarcerated despite receiving bail. He said the protest must reflect the people's longing for lasting peace and life with dignity through conflict resolution.
Background of the Protest
The National Conference, a prominent regional party in Jammu and Kashmir, has been vocal about restoring the region's statehood, which was revoked when the Centre reorganised the state into two Union Territories in August 2019. The party has also demanded the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, which granted special status and privileges to the region.
Farooq Abdullah, a former chief minister, has been leading the charge for the restoration of statehood, and the July 20 protest is seen as a key event to mobilise public opinion and pressure the central government.
Political Prisoners and Human Rights
Mirwaiz's remarks bring attention to the issue of political prisoners in Jammu and Kashmir, a matter that has drawn criticism from human rights organisations. According to local activists, hundreds of individuals, including youth, have been detained under various laws, with many facing prolonged detention without trial. The chief cleric's call for including their rights in the protest agenda underscores the broader human rights concerns in the region.
The demand for peaceful conflict resolution also resonates with many in the valley, where decades of unrest have taken a toll on the population. Mirwaiz, who heads the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, has consistently advocated for dialogue and non-violent means to address the Kashmir dispute.
