Omar Abdullah’s remark linking Mirwaiz’s CRPF cover to separatism’s decline in Kashmir draws fire
The Mirwaiz’s office called Abdullah’s comment “non-sensical”, while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said “singling out Mirwaiz only puts him at greater risk”. Sajad Lone, the Peoples Conference chief and MLA, described the CM’s comment as “loose talk”.
When asked if the situation had improved, the J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “If the separatist politics has declined, it means it (situation) has improved”.
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J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has drawn flak for his remarks suggesting that the CPRF security cover provided to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was a sign of separatist politics waning in the Valley.
The Mirwaiz’s office called Abdullah’s comment “non-sensical”, while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said “singling out Mirwaiz only puts him at greater risk”. Sajad Lone, the Peoples Conference chief and MLA, described the CM’s comment as “loose talk”.
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In an interview to news channel ‘News18 India’, Abdullah said nobody can deny that separatist politics had seen a decline since the abrogation of J&K’s special status in 2019. “Could you have ever thought that Mirwaiz would get a CRPF cover from the centre. I couldn’t have thought of it… But the situation has changed,” he said.
When asked if the situation had improved, the CM further said, “If the separatist politics has declined, it means it (situation) has improved”.
The Mirwaiz’s office said Monday: “The nonsensical comment of Omar Abdullah, who as someone holding a post of responsibility is assumed to talk sense, ascribing motives to the security provided to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, knowing fully well the circumstances, is highly regrettable and in very bad taste.”
“Such irresponsible comments betray the commentator’s insecurities and further disillusionment among the already beleaguered and repressed people regarding him and his mindset,” it added.
PDP MLA Waheed Para wrote on X: “Singling out Mirwaiz only puts him at greater risk, knowing well that his family has already paid a heavy price. The truth is, like hundreds of others, even graves, shrines, and mosques are guarded by JKP and CRPF. So why make an issue if Mirwaiz is?”
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Para attributed the decline in separatist politics to tougher measures taken by the Centre against the separatists and the “ban on Hurriyat and Jamaat”.
“If Kashmir appears peaceful today, it is due to UAPA, PSA, NIA, attachment of houses and assets, constant profiling, verification, the lodgment of prisoners outside under stringent laws, and the sacking of employees under 311,” Para said, adding that the CM’s “endorsing peace” was a U-turn from his election campaign and “a ratification of the iron-fist approach against Kashmiris.”
Peoples Conference president Lone said: “Your mention of so-called security for Mirwaiz is what we know as —— speak to kill—- in the last 3 decades. You always had one of the highest security covers in India… Loose talk. Cruel talk. Killer talk”.
Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter.
Expertise and Experience
Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development.
Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor.
Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans:
Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance.
Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population.
Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley.
Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More
