Background

Indian authorities have recently ended the four-year house arrest of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent Muslim cleric who has been leading protests against Indian rule in Indian-administered Kashmir. This decision comes after India revoked Kashmir’s special status in 2019, causing political uncertainty in the region.

Release and Friday Prayers

The mosque authorities have confirmed that senior police officials visited Mirwaiz’s home to inform him of his release from house arrest. He has been granted permission to perform Friday prayers at the Jamia Mosque in Srinagar, the main city in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Separatist Leaders’ Struggle

Kashmiri separatist leaders, including many who are currently under house arrest or in police detention centers, have pledged to continue their struggle. They refuse to participate in any dialogue until their demands are met. These demands include recognizing Kashmir as a disputed territory, releasing political prisoners, repealing emergency laws, and implementing a plan for the demilitarization of Kashmir.

A Disputed Region

Kashmir has been a source of contention between India and Pakistan since gaining independence in 1947. Both countries claim the entire region, leading to two wars fought over its control.