Police stop Mirwaiz from leaving residence for prayers

Stating that even leaders are sometimes not allowed to travel when there are “security-related threats”, Kumar said, “He will have to give in writing that the public will not create a law-and-order situation at the Jamia Masjid.”

On Thursday, the Anjuman Auqaf, the body that oversees the functioning of the Jamia Masjid, had said that “all preparations have been made for the Friday sermon by the Mirwaiz and people are eagerly looking forward to seeing and hearing him”.

On Friday, Anjuman Auqaf expressed “strong disdain against the authorities for once again disallowing its incarcerated chairman and Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq to address the faithful at the historic and central grand mosque after three years”.

“A large number of people who had come from across the Valley for the Friday prayers were once again deeply saddened. They expressed their anger and strongly protested against the illegal and arbitrary detention of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq,” the Anjuman said.

Prayers at the Jamia Masjid have been allowed only sporadically over the last three years. The Anjuman termed his continued detention “condemnable” while highlighting a statement of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who in an interview with foreign media last week had claimed that the Mirwaiz was not under detention and that there were no restrictions placed upon him.

“Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had twice made similar statements in Parliament. However, on the ground, these claims are far from reality as was once again proved today [Friday] when Mirwaiz was forcibly stopped at the gate of his house.”