Jamia Masjid shut down in Srinagar following death of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s father-in-law, Kashmiri parties condemn move

Sibtain Masoodi was also the brother of NC leader and Pampore MLA retired Justice Hasnain Masoodi.

Political parties — including the ruling National Conference — have condemned the move. While Chief Minister Omar Abdullah offered his condolences to the Mirwaiz family, his party, the NC, said in a statement that such actions “are not only regressive but also demonstrate the hollowness of claims of normalcy in the region”.

“It is precisely these kinds of steps that reveal the lack of trust the authorities have in their own assertions of peace and stability,” the statement said. It underlined that “the police in their short-sighted approach, fail to realise that restricting such basic rights only further erodes the trust and goodwill of the people”.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party accused NC of being “complicit by the silence” after the closure of Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta. Terming the decision “unfathomable and cruel”, PDP leader Iltija Mufti said: “One assumed that after an elected government there would be some relief but instead, they are complicit by their silence which has emboldened GOIs iron fisted policy of repression”.

Senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar also attacked the National Conference for “protesting” like the electorate. Commenting on NC’s statement, he said: “Says the ruling party which commands an overwhelming majority… Janaza bhi nahin padwa sakte ho toh kya kar rahe ho wahan (If you can’t even perform a funeral, then what are you doing there?). Running with the hare and hunting with the hounds,” he said.