SRINAGAR: Hours after Omar Abdullah shared videos of being stopped by police from visiting the graveyard of the July 13, 1931 martyrs, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said chief minister had experienced the helplessness faced by ordinary Kashmiris.
Power teaches little, Powerlessness teaches more!
Today the CM sahab @omarabdullah tasted the bitter medicine of authoritarian high handedness and subsequent helplessness that common Kashmiri’s face everyday in different forms, as all agency and space is denied to them. Hoping…— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) July 14, 2025
In a post on X, Mirwaiz wrote, “Power teaches little, Powerlessness teaches more!” He said that Omar Abdullah had faced the same denial of space and agency that Kashmiris experience daily. Mirwaiz hoped the incident would shift Omar’s focus towards the dignity and rights of the people and working for their restoration.
“Power teaches little, Powerlessness teaches more! Today the CM sahab @omarabdullah tasted the bitter medicine of authoritarian high handedness and subsequent helplessness that common Kashmiri’s face everyday in different forms, as all agency and space is denied to them. Hoping this experience shifts his focus to what is the first priority of every people- upholding of their dignity, and their fundamental rights, and work sincerely towards its restoration,” he posted on X.
Earlier in the day, Omar Abdullah posted videos showing police stopping him near the Naqashband Sahib shrine in Srinagar. In one video, he said he was forced to walk from Nawhatta Chowk after being blocked by police and had to scale a wall to enter the shrine. He stated that he was physically stopped but continued his visit to offer prayers.
In a follow-up video, a scuffle was visible. Omar questioned the legal grounds under which he was stopped, saying he was not engaged in any unlawful activity.
The incident occurred a day after authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar, limiting public and political movement around the Mazar-e-Shuhada, where leaders traditionally gather on the anniversary of the 1931 uprising.
Omar, accompanied by National Conference leaders, reached the site and offered prayers before the confrontation with police.
