Srinagar: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, has urged India to initiate a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan to address and potentially settle the Kashmir dispute in alignment with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. In a media interview, he emphasized the importance of dialogue over conflict and outlined steps towards peace, including the release of political prisoners and the restoration of Article 370 protections.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq stated that the ongoing claim by both India and Pakistan over Kashmir keeps the conflict alive, stressing that as long as the people of Kashmir harbor sentiments of self-determination, the Hurriyat’s role remains crucial and relevant. He mentioned that the framework for dialogue set during the tenures of former Indian Prime Ministers Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh could serve as a basis for renewed discussions.
Mirwaiz categorically rejected the label of Hurriyat as a “separatist” organization, a term he claimed was ascribed by India. He described the group as focused on resolving the Kashmir issue within its historical context. He criticized the abrogation of Article 370, arguing that it has exposed the Kashmiri population to risks of demographic changes, loss of identity, and disempowerment. He called for the restoration of Article 370, which had been a constitutional guarantee by India to protect the land, resources, and jobs of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Hurriyat leader detailed the severe conditions under the current policy, including widespread detentions of political leaders, activists, and youth, as well as suppressions such as communication blackouts and media censorship. He advocated for the immediate release of all individuals detained under controversial laws like the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and highlighted the dire conditions faced by these detainees.
Further, Mirwaiz expressed his personal challenges, including being under house detention since August 2019, which has severely restricted his ability to lead social reforms and perform religious duties, such as delivering sermons at the central Jamia Masjid. He called for bold actions to revoke draconian laws, release political prisoners, and ensure freedoms of expression and assembly to move towards resolving the Kashmir dispute.
The leader also differentiated the roles of Hurriyat and other local political entities, stating that despite different approaches, there is a collective responsibility to prioritize the welfare of the people over personal gains in addressing the issues facing the region.