Srinagar: In a move that has sparked significant debate, Indian authorities have prevented a planned meeting led by senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in Srinagar. The meeting, which was to discuss the Muslim community’s concerns regarding the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act, was scheduled to take place at Mirwaiz’s residence.

The authorities have reportedly sealed all access routes to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s home. This action takes place amid heightened tensions in the region of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

Religious leaders from across the region, representing areas such as Ladakh, Kargil, and Jammu, had already gathered in anticipation of the meeting. The planned discussion was seen as crucial in addressing community concerns over the legislative changes.

Authorities have placed both Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Agha Hassan Moosvi Al-Safvi, President of Anjuman-E-Sharie Shian and a founding member of the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), under house arrest. This has occurred at their respective residences in Srinagar and Badgam.

In response, Advocate Abdul Rashid Minah, a spokesperson for the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, issued a statement from Srinagar condemning the government’s actions. He criticized the move as repressive, accusing the BJP-led administration in New Delhi of undermining local governance in Jammu and Kashmir and using the National Conference government as a facade of democracy.

The situation remains tense as community leaders and activists continue to express their disapproval of the government’s actions concerning the Waqf Amendment Act.