Mirwaiz Umar Farooq placed under house arrest in Srinagar

Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest in Srinagar on Monday, preventing him from addressing the annual Khawaja Digar religious gathering at Khanqah-e-Naqshband Sahib.

In posts on X, the senior religious leader stated that tens of thousands of devotees had gathered for the congregation, which is observed annually on the third day of Rabi-ul-Awwal. Farooq alleged that the denial of permission to deliver his sermon was a response to his political outlook and his efforts to raise social and religious issues. He criticized authorities for what he described as a repressive mindset and an interference in the religious rights of Muslims.

Authorities have previously maintained that such house arrests are conducted for personal security and to maintain law and order. Farooq also heads the Awami Action Committee (AAC), an organization that the Ministry of Home Affairs banned for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in March 2025.