Kashmir problem cannot be solved through security approach alone, requires political engagement: Mirwaiz

In his sermon at the historic Jama Masjid on Friday, Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the Kashmir issue cannot be resolved through a security approach alone and requires “political engagement and reconciliation efforts”.

“It is our consistent position that the Kashmir issue cannot be resolved through a security approach alone. Political issues require political engagement and long-standing grievances require sincere efforts at reconciliation,” Mirwaiz said in his speech on Friday (October 30, 2026).

In an indirect reference to the Centre’s policy in Kashmir, Mirwaiz said, “If the situation has improved, as is acknowledged, shouldn’t this also be an opportunity to ease restrictions, review detentions, restore civil liberties and create an environment where 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 on it through reconciliation, release and review of political prisoners, restoration of civil liberties and sincere political engagement,” he added.

Referring to a recent report published by the International Crisis Group, an international advocacy group, Mirwaiz said: “The report’s findings deserve serious attention. It calls for restoration of statehood, meaningful powers for an elected government, revision of tough anti-terror laws and resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan.”

Mirwaiz said that solving security problems alone cannot discard the “aspirations of the people who are equally important and must find a place in any meaningful process towards peace”.

Referring to a war between India and Pakistan in 2025, Mirwaiz said: “The events of last year have again shown the danger of confrontation between India and Pakistan. We have always maintained that the most responsible way forward remains dialogue, rather than confrontation. I am raising these issues not in a spirit of confrontation, but out of genuine concern for the future of our people.”

He emphasized that “the real measure of peace is not just how much violence has decreased, but how much trust has been restored.” “That’s the message we should take from this report as well,” Mirwaiz said

The cleric, who once headed the separatist Hurriyat, said: “The report says that militancy, street protests and violence have declined in recent years, which is welcomed by all because no one understands the value of peace more than the people of Kashmir who have suffered immensely in the last few decades.

However, he added that Kashmir remains one of the most militarized 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 data, 3,662 people were arrested under the UAPA in J&K between 2019 and 2023, while only 23 convictions were recorded during that period.”

He said thousands of families are suffering as a result of arrests, detentions and lengthy court proceedings. “They continue to live with uncertainty about the future of their loved ones,” he added.

He also expressed concern over the continued imprisonment 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 for elderly and sick prisoners. I repeat this call today. Justice and compassion cannot be separated from the pursuit of peace,” Mirwaiz said.

Published – 30 Oct 2026 23:55 IST