Calls for respect of press freedom
SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq on Tuesday called for the release of all those detained during protests over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and urged authorities to respect the right to peaceful expression.
In a post on X, the Mirwaiz commended the solidarity shown by Muslims across Jammu and Kashmir, from the Kashmir Valley to Pir Panjal and Jammu, describing it as a reflection of the region’s moral conscience.
He said the shutdown observed across the region was a peaceful and powerful expression of solidarity against oppression, and emphasised that the right to peaceful protest and expression of grief must be respected.
The Mirwaiz expressed concern over reports of protesters and mourners, including women and minors, being detained, terming such actions unfortunate and unwarranted.
He also raised concern over the filing of FIRs and the blocking of local media outlets’ social media accounts under enforcement laws, calling on authorities to seriously reconsider what he described as a policy of censorship and punishment of free expression.