Image Source: Kashmir News Observer
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent Kashmiri religious and political leader, has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark Eid-ul-Adha by releasing Kashmiri prisoners. He says that while new train links to the Valley are a positive step, real progress comes from connecting people, not just places.
Key Points:
Speaking at Srinagar’s Jama Masjid, Mirwaiz said he appreciates the new railway connections between Kashmir and the rest of India. But he made it clear that what matters most is easing the emotional distance between Kashmiris and the rest of the country.
Mirwaiz called on the government to release all Kashmiri prisoners, especially those held for years without trial, including political leaders and young people. He pointed out that many families in Kashmir can’t fully celebrate Eid because their loved ones are still in jail, and more young people are being detained every day.
He told the Prime Minister that if he truly wants to reduce the “Dil Ki Doori” (distance of hearts), then releasing prisoners would be a genuine gesture of goodwill. “Train links are good, but it’s the human connections that really count,” Mirwaiz said.
Mirwaiz also spoke about the recent death of Zubair Bhat, a Kashmiri trader in Delhi, calling it disturbing and saying it has increased fear among Kashmiris living outside the region.
He urged both the government and civil society to protect the dignity and safety of Kashmiris everywhere in India, warning that silence only encourages those who target the community.
PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti supported Mirwaiz’s appeal, asking the Prime Minister to show compassion by releasing detained youth, especially after recent violent incidents.
Both leaders see the release of prisoners as a meaningful way to build trust and move toward reconciliation between Kashmir and the rest of India.
Source: Economic Times, Times of India, The Tribune, The Week, UNI India
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