Srinagar, Sep 09 : Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Monday reaffirmed that the Hurriyat has consistently supported dialogue as the only viable path to resolve political issues in Jammu and Kashmir. His statement came in response to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remarks, made during an address in Ramban, where Singh mentioned that a Parliamentary delegation sent by the Centre for talks with Hurriyat had been turned away.
In a statement issued to the news agency, Mirwaiz emphasized that Hurriyat, under his leadership, has always advocated for engagement and dialogue with the Government of India to address the political aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that Hurriyat participated in every opportunity for dialogue, from the era of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“Despite the personal risks and heavy costs borne by the Hurriyat leadership and their families, we have never shied away from engaging in talks because we firmly believe that dialogue is the only path to ensuring peace and stability in J&K and the region,” Mirwaiz said in the statement. He added that Hurriyat’s participation in these dialogues was never motivated by personal gain or power, but by the desire for peace and prosperity for the people of the region.
Mirwaiz further highlighted that even after the drastic changes imposed in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 and his prolonged house arrest, he has continuously advocated for dialogue, though his calls have gone unanswered.
The statement also clarified an incident from 2016 when Mirwaiz was detained at the Cheshmashahi sub-jail. A letter from Mehbooba Mufti, written in her capacity as the president of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and not as Chief Minister, was handed to him, requesting a meeting with a delegation of opposition MPs.
According to Mirwaiz, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi visited him in jail, relaying that the MPs wished to discuss the deteriorating situation in the Valley. Mirwaiz expressed anguish and requested Owaisi to ask the government to halt the violence and allow Hurriyat leaders, many of whom were detained or under house arrest, to first meet and collectively discuss the situation. Only then, he suggested, could they decide on engaging with the delegation in a meaningful way, instead of it being another short-term crisis management exercise.
“Owaisi agreed to convey this request, but after that, we never heard back,” Mirwaiz noted in the statement. He also expressed surprise at learning that the initiative was reportedly sanctioned by the Government of India, something that was never communicated to Hurriyat at the time.
