Kashmir’s senior religious leader and chief cleric Mirwaiz Maulana Umar Farooq on Friday declined an invitation from National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah to participate in a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, stating that he would join only if the demonstration also addressed broader political issues related to Jammu and Kashmir. He said the protest should include demands for restoration of rights, release of detained leaders and youth, and a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue.

Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar, Mirwaiz said he had received an invitation from Farooq Abdullah to participate in the protest. However, he questioned the limited focus of the proposed demonstration, arguing that it should not be restricted only to the demand for restoration of statehood.

Mirwaiz said the National Conference had received a mandate from voters in the 2024 elections to work towards restoring what he described as the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that any political effort aimed at addressing public concerns was welcome but argued that the responsibility primarily rested with the party that formed the government after receiving public support.

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He said the protest should also raise issues related to the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A and the previous constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir. He further demanded the release of political leaders and young people held in jails, claiming that some individuals remained incarcerated despite receiving bail orders from courts.

The religious leader also spoke about the upcoming July 13 commemorations, describing the day as historically significant for Kashmir. He said the day marked the 1931 uprising against autocratic rule and the deaths of people who are remembered as the first martyrs of Kashmir. He recalled that funeral prayers for those killed in 1931 were held at the Jama Masjid premises.

Mirwaiz said that a peaceful procession and tribute programme would traditionally be held every year to honour the 1931 martyrs, though restrictions have been imposed in recent years. He added that if authorities allow gatherings on July 13, prayers would be held at Jama Masjid followed by a visit to the martyrs’ graveyard at Naqashband Sahib to pay respects.

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