SRINAGAR: Political parties in Kashmir on Friday welcomed  JK administration’s decision to release Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from house arrest after a gap of over four years.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest four years ago following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India in August 2019.

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Welcoming the decision,National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah confirmed that the head cleric will be finally allowed to resume his religious and social responsibilities.

“I welcome the step taken by the administration in J&K to release Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from house arrest. I hope that they allow him to move freely, interact with people & resume his social/religious responsibilities. Today eyes in Kashmir will be on the Mirwaiz as he delivers his first Friday sermon in Jamia Masjid after 2019,” Omar Wrote on social networking site X.

PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti said that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will finally be able to walk as a free man.

Mehbooba  wrote on X: “Finally Mirwaiz Umer Farooq will walk a free man after years of LGs admin’s denial about his detention. As a religious head he is held in high regard by muslims across J&K. Unfortunate that a tussle has already begun between BJPs various political outfits to claim credit for his release.”

Expressing his satisfaction over the release of prominent political and religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari, thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and J&K’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) for the move.

In a statement issued to press, Altaf Bukhari said, “I am deeply gratified and delighted by the release of Mirwaiz Sahib. His release has brought a collective sigh of relief among the masses, especially his devoted followers.”

He added, “I firmly believe that Mirwaiz Sahib’s release will mark the beginning of a new era characterized by peace and harmony in the region of Jammu and Kashmir, which has endured suffering for quite a long time.”

Asserting that the clerics have an important role to play in a society, DPAP Chief  Ghulam Nabi Azad wrote on  Welcome step! After 4 years of house arrest, it’s heartening to hear that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will be allowed to offer Friday prayers at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid. Religious freedom is a fundamental right, and clerics have an important role to play. This is a positive move towards reconciliation and unity!

CPI (M) leader M Y Tarigami said that the release of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from illegal confinement is a welcome step. “Mirwaiz is a well-respected & influential religious leader. Difference of opinion is an important ingredient of democracy. It should not be used as an excuse to curtail the fundamental rights of people,” he wrote on social medial handle X.

Welcoming the release of Mirwaiz Farooq JKPC President Sajad Gani Lone said, “Welcome the release of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq sahib. It is a joyous day for all of us to hopefully see him leading the prayers. He symbolises a tradition which is primarily religious in nature but also strong societal connotations.”

Meanwhile, Chairperson Waqf Board and BJP leader, Darakhshan Andrabi,  while approving the governments decision said, “Congratulations to respected Brother Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Sahib. It is soothing to see you after a highly appreciable decision by the Administration. Religious scholars belong to all & no group or political party has a copyright for any religious personality. I hope, this time politico-theatrical statements will not shadow the happiness of the release of Mirwaiz. Wishing him great for future,” Andrabi wrote on X.

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