Mirwaiz was addressing the Friday congregation at historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar after a gap of few Fridays as he was disallowed to lead the prayers here.
“Access to this central place of worship for the Muslims of Kashmir is repeatedly curtailed at the will of authorities…Such repeated restrictions are not just about closing a mosque, they speak of the larger reality, when normalcy is tom tomed by curbing people’s fundamental rights through bans, bars and censorship,” said Mirwaiz. He said that unfortunately the “harassment of Kashmiris is unceasing.”
Mirwaiz said that the reports of cases, chargesheets and arrests of Kashmiris by “multiple agencies operating here -SIA , CIK , cyber cell , ACB , NIA, on one ground or another and frequent extra judicial dismissals of Kashmiri government employees with no recourse to judicial remedy is also pursued.”
“This creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation and reinforces the narrative that portrays an entire people as dangerous and suspect to be ruled by imposing checks and control,” said Mirwaiz. He warned that “this coercive policy cannot build viable peace or lead to progress if that is what the authorities seek , as they claim.”
Mirwaiz also stated that family of Rashid Ahmed Mughal, from Arhama in Ganderbal is saying that he was a part-time computer operator with no links to militancy. “The family says he was picked up and killed in cold blood, painful memories of such encounters got revived. His family seeks justice through an impartial probe,” said Mirwaiz.
He hoped that justice is done in this case “as past experiences do not inspire confidence.”
“But as the news came that Lieutenant Governor sahib himself has ordered an inquiry, let’s hope this time justice gets done and those responsible are held to account and punished,” said Mirwaiz adding, “that his body was also not given to the family for burial is inhuman and condemnable.”
