Srinagar, October 10: While addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq said that October 10 marks the day when Shaheed-e-Millat Mirwaiz Farooq was taken to jail in 1965, where he spent the next three years facing severe hardships that left a lasting impact on his health for the rest of his life.
In a statement issued to the Kashmir Media Watch, Mirwaiz said that the story, unfortunately, continues even today, as hundreds of Kashmiris young and old, from all walks of life continue to languish in jails for years and even decades, many under draconian laws, merely for holding dissenting views. Their mental and physical health, he said, has been gravely affected, and their families continue to suffer immensely.
He said that among those imprisoned are political leaders including Shabir Shah, Yasin Malik, Asiya Andrabi Aftab Shah, and even the likes of Engineer Rashid and Mehraj Malik who remain behind bars.
Mirwaiz said that he once again appeals to the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, and the Home Minister, Mr. Amit Shah, to relook at this matter from a humanitarian and democratic perspective and release these detainees to end the prolonged ordeal faced by them and their families. He said such a step would go a long way in winning the hearts of the people of Kashmir and earning their goodwill.
