Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Urges PM Modi to Revive Dialogue with Jammu and Kashmir
On the occasion of Muharram, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief cleric of Jammu and Kashmir, appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to renew efforts for engagement with the region. Speaking at the Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, he emphasised that dialogue, despite its challenges, remains the most reliable path to resolution.
“Peace may be difficult. Dialogue may be slow. Diplomacy may demand patience. Yet these remain the most reliable instruments for resolving issues and securing a better future,” Mirwaiz said.
He noted that Prime Minister Modi is now among the longest-serving leaders in independent India and recalled that when he assumed office, he spoke of regional cooperation and demonstrated interest in improving relations with neighbouring countries. “Those gestures generated hope across South Asia,” he said.
Mirwaiz also highlighted the efforts of previous prime ministers from different political parties, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, in maintaining engagement with Jammu and Kashmir. While acknowledging that differences persisted, he stressed that such engagements reflected an important principle: “dialogue itself has value.”
The appeal comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir has been under direct central rule since August 2019, when its special status under Article 370 was revoked and the state was reorganised into two union territories. Political activity has been limited, though local elections have been held recently.
Mirwaiz, who leads the moderate Hurriyat Conference, has been a consistent advocate for dialogue between the central government and Kashmiri stakeholders. His statement during the solemn period of Muharram underscores the continued call for peaceful engagement.
