From Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz’s post-poll message: J&K results show people will resist attempts to subjugate them

Speaking from Jamia Masjid after Friday prayers, he said that this time, “through a consolidated ballot”, the people registered their “strong disapproval of the drastic, unilateral changes made in August 2019 (abrogation of special powers under Article 370), since when they have been systematically disempowered, deprived, and their voices stifled.”

Urging political parties to respect the voters’ message and “fulfil the promise” they made to restore the legal safeguards and the rights “snatched” from them in 2019, the Mirwaiz said, “The ownership of our land and resources, the constitutional commitments reneged on, our very identity, and dignity were further undermined by the 2019 commandments.”

Calling for the Centre to initiate engagement, Mirwaiz said the Hurriyat was peacefully striving for the rights of the people of J&K, “for which we are constantly struggling and being sent to jails. We have been constantly appealing to the GOI for engagement and the release of political prisoners, which include political leaders, lawyers, human rights activists and youth.”

He also urged the incoming J&K government to “urgently take up the matter with the Government of India and help secure the release of all political prisoners and youth languishing in jails for years and decades, some even without trial, and push for the withdrawal of the draconian laws, including UAPA and PSA”.

“These laws have destroyed people’s lives. The medical condition of many prisoners in jail is very worrying. There is an urgent humanitarian need to reunite them with their families, so this matter demands immediate attention and should be addressed on priority,” he said.