Violence, oppression & use of guns not solution to resolve issues: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq emphasized on Monday that violence, oppression, and the use of guns cannot resolve issues.

He reiterated that dialogue remains the only path forward to address the political dimensions of the Kashmir issue.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Mirwaiz urged New Delhi to rethink its approach.

“We have always maintained that all issues should be resolved through dialogue. Violence, oppression, and guns offer no solutions. The political aspect of the Kashmir issue must be addressed through a dialogue process,” he said.

On the political front, the Hurriyat Conference Chairman called for a rethink in New Delhi’s policy towards Kashmir.

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir want the issue to be resolved and do not want to live in a state of uncertainty. Bloodshed must come to an end,” he stated.

Mirwaiz also acknowledged the recent period of peace along the Line of Control (LoC), attributing it to the ceasefire agreement.

“For the past four to five years, there has been no violence along the LoC, and people on both sides are feeling some relief. We urge both nations to build on this by resuming initiatives like cross- border trade and bus services,” he added.

Mirwaiz expressed confidence in the readiness of leadership in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan to pursue dialogue.

“If New Delhi provides a positive indication, I am certain that Pakistan’s leadership understands the need for dialogue to resolve issues,” he said.

The Hurriyat Conference Chairman pointed out that the new government in Jammu and Kashmir has limited powers but holds the responsibility of addressing the day-to-day challenges faced by the people.

“Basic issues like electricity, roads, and water are critical and cannot be ignored. These are the people’s concerns, and the government must fulfill its commitments to resolve them,” he said.

Regarding the proposed amendments to the Muslim Waqf Act, Mirwaiz revealed that they had submitted a detailed letter to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), outlining their concerns and urging a rejection of the amendments.

“We have requested a meeting with the JPC to discuss our apprehensions and are awaiting their response,” he said, describing the amendments as unacceptable to the Muslim community.

He further criticized the government’s interference in religious matters, stating, “Waqf is a religious issue, and government interference is completely wrong. While we can make changes, the amendments being introduced are one-sided. We oppose this strongly.”

The Hurriyat Conference Chairman also urged NDA allies to present a clear policy on the issue.

“Apart from the opposition, the other parties in the NDA, at least they should come forward with a clear policy on this issue and say that we will not support it,” he said.–(UNI)