Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent Kashmiri cleric and separatist leader, has removed the designation "Chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference" from his X (formerly Twitter) profile, citing pressure from authorities. He described the situation as a "Hobson's choice," explaining that the move was compelled by warnings that his account would be taken down if the designation remained.
Mirwaiz stated that authorities had been pressing him to alter his X handle because all constituents of the Hurriyat Conference, including the Awami Action Committee which he heads, have been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), effectively rendering the Hurriyat a banned organization. He emphasized that the platform is one of the few remaining means for him to connect with the people and share his views, given the restrictions on public space and communication.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), formed in 1993, once held considerable influence in Jammu and Kashmir, coordinating shutdowns and political mobilizations. However, its dominance has waned over the past decade due to internal strife and government crackdowns. Most of Hurriyat's constituents have been proscribed since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and the conversion of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory.
Following the change to his social media profile on Thursday evening, Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest and prevented from leading Friday prayers at Srinagar's Jamia Masjid. His office, Mirwaiz Manzil, reported that he was also prevented from attending the launch of the Mirwaiz Foundation Calendar 2026, a cultural initiative. His office condemned the restrictions on peaceful religious activities, stating that they deepen alienation.
The move has sparked political debate. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that the removal was "immaterial", arguing that Hurriyat "is an idea and reflects alienation". She added that the idea cannot be erased by arrests or bans. PDP MLA Waheed Parra supported Mirwaiz, saying choosing “peace over rigidity is not weakness, it is leadership”. National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq stated that the matter deserved review, given Mirwaiz's stature as a respected religious scholar and that if "a person of his stature says he has been pressurised, it needs to be examined seriously".
