Mirwaiz said to challenge the detention in court. Why is Jamia Masjid banned from offering prayers?
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent separatist leader and the chief imam of the Jamia Masjid in Kashmir, recently said that he was barred from offering prayers at the historic mosque. His comments came after the administration and security forces barred him from leading the Jamia Masjid, even though authorities claim he is no longer under house arrest. Mirwaiz has also expressed his intention to challenge his continued detention in court, insisting that the government's statements about his freedom are inconsistent with his actual situation.
His detention, which began after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, has been the subject of a significant controversy. Jamia Masjid in Srinagar is an important religious and political site and Mirwaiz's inability to lead prayers there highlights the ongoing tensions in the region. Mirwaiz expressed concern over the contradiction between public statements made by government officials and the ground reality, suggesting that his movement would be restricted.
