SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has criticised the authorities for sealing Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid on Shab-e-Barat, calling the move “unfortunate” and a sign of distrust in the people and the law-and-order machinery.
“It is very unfortunate that the security establishment has taken the decision to seal the historic Jamia Masjid, Srinagar on one of the holiest nights in the Islamic calendar Shab-e-Barat. This decision betrays a lack of confidence in the people and a lack of confidence in the law & order machinery that calm won’t prevail without extreme measures. The people of Srinagar deserved better,” he said.
Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid said the authorities didn’t allow observance of Shab-e-Baraat for the sixth consecutive year and put Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest.
“Such repeated restrictions not only hurt the sentiments of the people but also infringe upon their fundamental religious rights,” Anjuman Auqaf said in a statement.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti in a post on X said: “Shocked to hear about Mirwaiz Sahab’s illegal house arrest today on the occasion of Shab e Barat. Not only this but the Jama Masjid too has been locked up & kept out of bounds for the general public. Utterly disrespectful & unwarranted. Hoping for some answers.”
