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Mehbooba Mufti Meets Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to Discuss Social Issues
Confirmed
In Short: Mirwaiz Farooq confirmed the meeting, stating, 'Yes, Mehbooba ji visited me today. It was a good interaction.' He added that they discussed the 'prevailing political situation in Jammu and Kashmir in some detail.
Mirwaiz Farooq confirmed the meeting, stating, 'Yes, Mehbooba ji visited me today. It was a good interaction.' He added that they discussed the 'prevailing political situation in Jammu and Kashmir in some detail.
Sources said Mufti drove to Mirwaiz’s residence at Nageen in Srinagar on Sunday afternoon. The meeting was significant as it marked a rare convergence of mainstream and separatist political leaders in the Valley.
Mufti and Mirwaiz also discussed social issues currently facing Kashmir, including drug abuse among young people. Mirwaiz has been raising these concerns from the pulpit of Jamia Masjid in Srinagar during his Friday sermons.
The meeting comes days after both leaders publicly voiced shared concerns over a proposed 'Tantra in Silence' retreat in north Kashmir’s Gurez valley. The administration has since clarified that no authorization had been granted for the event.
Mufti urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Jammu and Kashmir Police to intervene, stating, 'Gurez is no playground for experiments in the name of spirituality or tourism.
Mirwaiz echoed Mufti's concerns, noting that a similar event by the same organizers was cancelled by police in Goa following public outrage over its promotional content.
The interaction marks the first meeting between Mufti and Mirwaiz in several years and comes against the backdrop of continuing discussions over social issues affecting Kashmir as well as the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mirwaiz said, 'Kashmir welcomes guests but does not surrender its values.' He added, 'The concern raised by @MehboobaMufti deserves immediate attention!
Mufti’s outreach to religious leaders, artists, youth, women, and cultural activists is aimed at addressing social issues through a coordinated response involving different stakeholders.
The meeting highlights the growing concern among religious and community leaders over substance abuse, suicide, and other challenges affecting Kashmir’s youth.
What this adds
Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have called for a ban on the 'Tantra in Silence' event, citing concerns over its organizers and content.
Mufti noted that a similar 'Tantra' retreat facilitated by Swami Dhyan Sumit, a self-styled godman promoting a new religion under the Shree Rajneesh Foundation, was cancelled in Goa last year after its promotional material sparked controversy.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, representing the House of Grand Mufti Jammu & Kashmir, expressed serious concerns about the retreat, stating that Kashmir welcomes guests but does not surrender its values.
The meeting between Mufti and Mirwaiz is significant as it marks a rare convergence of mainstream and separatist political leaders in the Valley.
Background
Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq met to discuss social issues and the controversial 'Tantra in Silence' event.
What's confirmed
- Mirwaiz said the two leaders also discussed the “prevailing political situation in Jammu and Kashmir in some detail”.
- Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti met Valley’s chief cleric and Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at his residence on Sunday.
- The meeting comes days after the two leaders publicly voiced shared concerns over a proposed ‘Tantra in Silence’ retreat in north Kashmir’s Gurez valley, prompting the administration to clarify that no authorisation had been granted for the event.
- Sources close to the PDP chief said the former chief minister called on the prominent religious leader as part of her ongoing interactions with Kashmir’s youth, scholars, women, artists, and social and political activists to address social issues.
What's still developing
- It is also important as it was during Mufti’s reign in 2016 that Mirwaiz was arrested and shifted to Cheshma Shahi huts that were designated as a sub jail.
- Mirwaiz said while responding to Mufti’s call for intervention.
- Earlier in the day, Kashmir’s chief preacher Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti objected to the holding of the controversial event in Gurez.
- They pointed out that the Goa government had cancelled an event facilitated by the same organisers last year.
- The Bandipora district administration has also distanced itself from the controversial event.
- “I also appeal to @MirwaizKashmir and @office_mufti to raise awareness about this issue,” she added.
- Mufti noted that a similar 'Tantra' retreat facilitated by Swami Dhyan Sumit, a self-styled godman promoting a new religion under the Shree Rajneesh Foundation, was cancelled in Goa last year after its promotional material sparked controversy.
- A recent conference of religious scholars headed by the Mirwaiz adopted resolutions expressing concern over rising substance abuse, self-harm, and environmental degradation.
- “This is part of her series of follow-up interactions with Kashmir’s youth, scholars, women, stakeholders, artists, and social and political activists,” a senior PDP leader told The India Express.
- Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir.
Sources
- ETV Bharatlink
- Kashmir Observerlink
- The Indian Expresslink
- kashmirdespatch.comlink
- Kashmirobserverlink
- The Indian Expresslink
- Greaterkashmirlink
- Warpbeatlink
- Kashmirlifelink
- Knskashmirlink
- Thekashmirhorizonlink
- WarpBeat — background on Days after they found common ground in opposing Tantra event, Mehbooba Mufti meets Mirwaiz Umar link
- NewsX Live — video link