Srinagar: Spokesperson of the Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Advocate Arshad Iqbal, has strongly condemned the continued house arrest of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq and the restrictions imposed on him from delivering the Friday sermon and leading the congregational Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.
In a statement, Advocate Arshad Iqbal said that the continued confinement of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, arbitrary detentions, restrictions on religious congregations, and limitations on the exercise of religious freedom in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir constitute serious violations of fundamental human rights and religious freedom. He stated that preventing respected religious leaders from performing their religious responsibilities is inconsistent with internationally recognized human rights principles, religious tolerance, and democratic values.
He said that Mirwaiz Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq is not only one of the most respected religious leaders of Jammu and Kashmir but also a senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and a prominent voice of the Kashmir freedom movement. Preventing him from discharging his religious responsibilities and engaging with the public amounts to a clear violation of the universally recognized rights to freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly.
Advocate Arshad Iqbal further stated that restricting access to places of worship, placing religious leaders under house arrest, and interfering with peaceful religious activities are contrary to the principles of religious tolerance, human dignity, and the rule of law. Such actions deepen the sense of alienation among the people of Jammu and Kashmir and further undermine confidence in the protection of fundamental rights.
He further stated that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognized disputed territory, and its final disposition is yet to be determined in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that until a just and lasting settlement of the dispute is achieved, the political, civil, religious, and human rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be fully respected. He added that restrictions on religious freedom and the suppression of the political leadership cannot contribute to a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
The DFP spokesperson called upon the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), international human rights organizations, religious freedom advocacy groups, and the wider international community to take urgent notice of the continuing restrictions on religious freedom in Jammu and Kashmir. He urged them to press the Indian authorities to immediately end the house arrest of Mirwaiz Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, lift all restrictions on religious activities, restore the fundamental rights of all political and religious leaders, and ensure that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are able to exercise their religious, political, and civil liberties freely and without fear.
Advocate Arshad Iqbal concluded by stating that lasting peace, justice, and stability in Jammu and Kashmir can only be achieved through respect for internationally recognized human rights, religious freedom, democratic values, and a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.