Srinagar, March 4: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent leader from Jammu and Kashmir, emphasized the importance of respecting peaceful protests and the right to express hurt feelings. He praised the unity displayed by Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir, from the Kashmir Valley to Pir Panjal and Jammu, in mourning and condemning recent events in Iran. This solidarity reflects the vibrant moral consciousness of our society, standing firmly against oppression and unwaveringly with the victims. The shutdown observed across the region was a peaceful and powerful expression of this unity.
Farooq stated that the right to peaceful protest and expression must be honored. Reports of protesters and mourners, including women and minors, being detained are unfortunate and unjust. He criticized the filing of FIRs against social media platforms, including Facebook, for covering the protests and the restrictions placed on local media accounts, deeming them inappropriate under national laws.
He urged authorities to release all detained individuals and to seriously reconsider their ongoing policy of censorship and punishment regarding freedom of expression.
Earlier, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and President of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, expressed regret over the Indian government’s silence regarding the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran. Speaking at a press conference, she highlighted that the bombing of Iran by the U.S. and Israel has been ongoing for the past 5-6 days, resulting in the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Mufti recalled a time when India supported Iran, noting that when sanctions were imposed on India, Iran provided free oil. She pointed out that the current global order is completely disrupted.
Referring to the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei, she stated that just because the Indian government and the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir have remained silent on the open aggression against Iran and the martyrdom of its Supreme Leader, it does not mean that those who speak out are criminals deserving of legal action.
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