Kashmir issue cannot be addressed through security approach alone, requires political engagement: Mirwaiz

Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in his Friday sermon at the historic Jama Masjid, said the Kashmir issue cannot be addressed through a security approach alone and requires “political engagement and efforts at reconciliation”.“Our consistent position has been that the Kashmir issue cannot be addressed through a security approach alone. Political issues require political engagement, and longstanding grievances require sincere efforts at reconciliation,” said the Mirwaiz, in his Friday (October 30, 2026) address.Referring indirectly to the Centre’s policy in Kashmir, the Mirwaiz said, “If the situation has improved, as is being acknowledged, should it not also be an opportunity to ease restrictions, review detentions, restore civil liberties and create an environment in which people can express their views and grievances peacefully?”He said peace cannot simply be measured by the absence of protests. “If meaningful progress has been made in improving security, the next step should be to build upon it through reconciliation, release and review of political prisoners, restoration of civil liberties and sincere political engagement,” he added.Referring to the recent report published by the International Crisis Group, an international advocacy group, the Mirwaiz said, “The findings of the report deserve serious attention. It calls for the restoration of Statehood, meaningful powers for the elected government, a review of stringent anti-terror laws and renewed dialogue between India and Pakistan.”The Mirwaiz said that addressing security concerns alone cannot brush aside “aspirations of the people, who are equally important and must find a place in any meaningful process towards peace.”Referring to the 2025 war between India and Pakistan, the Mirwaiz said, “The events of last year once again demonstrated the dangers of confrontation between India and Pakistan. We have always maintained that dialogue, rather than confrontation, remains the most responsible way forward. I raise these issues not in a spirit of confrontation, but out of genuine concern for the future of our people.”He underlined that the “real measure of peace is not merely how much violence has declined, but how much trust has been restored”. “That is the message we should take from this report too,” said the MirwaizThe cleric, who once headed the separatist Hurriyat, said, “The report says that militancy, street protests and violence have declined in recent years, which everyone welcomes, as no one understands the value of peace more than the people of Kashmir, who have suffered enormously over the past several decades”.He, however, added that Kashmir remains one of the most militarised places on earth. “One of the most disturbing aspects highlighted in the report is the scale of arrests and detentions since 2019. According to the Union Home Ministry’s own figures, 3,662 people were arrested under UAPA in J&K between 2019 and 2023, while only 23 convictions were recorded during that period. These figures raise serious questions about prolonged detention, due process and the widespread use of stringent laws,” said the Mirwaiz.He said thousands of families suffer the consequences of arrests, detentions and prolonged legal proceedings. “They continue to live with uncertainty about the future of their loved ones,” he added.He also expressed concern over the continued incarceration of Kashmiri political prisoners, including Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Shahid Ul Islam , Engineer Rashid , Asiya Andrabi, Masrat Alam, and many others.“We have repeatedly appealed for their release, review of their cases and humanitarian consideration towards elderly and ailing prisoners. I reiterate that appeal today. Justice and compassion cannot be separated from the pursuit of peace,” said the Mirwaiz.