SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Dr. Molvi Umar Farooq said that for the third consecutive Friday, he has been placed under house arrest by the authorities and prevented from going to Jama Masjid to deliver the Friday sermon and lead prayers.
Mirwaiz in a statement issue dhere said, “What law if laws govern us sanctions such an assault on basic rights and turns worship into a crime? Week after week, on Fridays or any day they decide, at their whim and will, the authorities lock me inside my home, curb my freedom, and prevent me from fulfilling my religious duties, with no accountability for this authoritarian behaviour.”
He strongly condemned these repeated restrictions and added that those whose duty it is to hold the authorities accountable “either dare not or bother not to question them”.
Mirwaiz further said that the continuous curbs on his movement, denial of access to Jama Masjid, and restrictions on delivering the Friday sermon reflect not only an “assault” on his personal rights but also a deep contempt for the sentiments of the people and their right to practice religion freely.
Calling the repeated clampdowns a “mockery of democracy”, he urged that such authoritarian practices be stopped and religious freedom and human rights be respected.