Srinagar, Sept 13 (KNO): Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday condemned his "undemocratic" and "illegal" house detention, stating that it has prevented him from going to Jamia Masjid to deliver sermon.
Mirwaiz, in a statement issue to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that being the patron of MMU he was not allowed to attend its important meeting yesterday over serious issue of the amendment to the Muslim Waqf Act with members, religious leaders and scholars.
The statement reads that he was also not allowed to attend a media session on the situation in J&K by a reputed national news channel. "At the same event chief state functionary when asked about my detention, as always, refuted it out rightly," Mirwaiz said, adding that it's unfortunate that he being repeatedly targeted and detained, which belies the claims of "normalcy".
Mirwaiz said as assembly election is nearing despite the ECIs guidelines that preventive detention and asking people to report to police stations should be avoided, dozens of people are being detained, and people especially political workers and youth are being harassed and asked to report to police stations seeking surety bonds from them.
"Long lists of people, to be detained in view of elections, have been prepared. There is fear among those being detained and those whose names are in these lists that once arrested they will be booked under the draconian PSA and UAPA."
Mirwaiz appealed authorities to desist from such actions that create fear and intimidate people and stop their persecution in this manner.
On Waqf amendment issue, he said MMU has written a detailed letter to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), illustrating deep concerns and apprehension, and requesting it to reject the amendments and have sought time for a meeting with the JPC.
"People should stay alert to the issue as it concerns our very religious existence and institutions and should sign on the link (https://waqf1.pages.dev/) to register their disapproval."
Mirwaiz also paid tributes to the communist leader Sitaram Yechury who passed away in Delhi yesterday—(KNO)