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Back in school, we used to play cricket regularly, and our opponents would often lose matches. They would jokingly say that losing had become central to their game. But when the wind shifted and they started winning regularly, they proudly said, “Now the tables have turned.” The recent statement by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from the historic Jamia Masjid took me back to that innocent school memory. Jamia Masjid has remained central to Kashmir’s political and social landscape for decades, and this statement itself marks a moment where, the tables appear to have turned.
In the recent statement from the pulpit of the historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar which is available across all social media platforms Mirwaiz Umar Farooq talked about the worsening situation in PoJK. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, expressed deep pain and concern over the deteriorating situation of human rights in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). He conveyed his condolences to the families of those killed by Pakistani forces, stating that the death toll had reached around 50–60, and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.
He expressed deep sympathies with the victims of Pakistan-sponsored brutality in the occupied region. He emphasized the need for an impartial and unbiased probe into the killings, describing the deceased as martyrs in his speech, and also raised concerns over grave human rights violations, including arrests. He further condemned the indiscriminate and brutal use of force by Pakistan against innocent and unarmed civilians in PoJK. He prayed for those who were martyred by Pakistani forces, wished peace for their souls, and prayed for the well-being and speedy recovery of those injured. He also spoke about the historical and emotional ties between PoJK and Kashmir. Urging Pakistan to engage peacefully with the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), he called for a meaningful resolution to the challenges and issues facing the occupied region, including the controversy surrounding the 12 reserved seats, and appealed to Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint.
The outlook of his statement may appear ordinary at first glance, but if we turn back the pages of history, the Friday sermon by Mirwaiz holds immense significance, primarily because of the platform from which it was delivered and the person who delivered it. For years, Jamia Masjid Srinagar remained a focal point of separatist politics and narratives in Kashmir. However, the raising of concerns over PoJK and criticism of the handling of public grievances there reflects the changing political conversations within the Valley.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a separatist leader and Islamic cleric, once used the same historic pulpit of Jamia Masjid Srinagar to promote Pakistan-backed narratives and separatist ideology in Kashmir. For years, the mosque remained a platform for such messaging, and the consequences of that period are well known. Kashmir witnessed prolonged turmoil, violence, disruption to education, setbacks to the economy and tourism, and immense suffering for ordinary people. However, as the saying goes, every sun eventually sets. The long and painful chapter of separatism has drastically gone down over the past several years, giving way to a new era of peace, development, and normalcy. Today, educational institutions are functioning, businesses are growing, tourism has revived, infrastructure is expanding, and people are increasingly focused on stability and progress. Against this backdrop, Mirwaiz’s Friday statement on the situation in PoJK assumes greater significance. His criticism of Pakistan’s handling of the unrest and his appeal for dialogue and respect for human rights reflect the changing realities of Kashmir. Many individuals and groups once associated with separatist politics are now participating in the democratic process, contesting elections, forming political alliances, publicly distancing themselves from separatism, and becoming part of the Valley’s evolving landscape. In that context, Mirwaiz’s remarks reflect this broader transformation. They suggest a departure from the narratives that once dominated the Valley and indicate an acknowledgement of the changing aspirations of the people. The statement symbolizes a Kashmir that is increasingly embracing peace, progress, and development while moving away from the politics of separatism that shaped an earlier era.
If we talk about Pakistan today, it stands exposed before Kashmiris and the wider world for its actions in PoJK, PoGB, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Afghanistan. Kashmiris have long understood that Pakistan was never, and can never be, their well-wisher, and rejected Pakistan’s narrative years ago. Mirwaiz’s recent statement adds further weight to that reality. The fact that a person who once echoed Pakistan’s narratives is now speaking against Pakistan and condemning its actions in PoJK is, in itself, a reflection of Kashmir’s transformation and the rejection of Pakistan. If someone like Mirwaiz has changed his tone towards Pakistan, the sentiment among ordinary Kashmiris needs no or little further explanation.
In a nutshell, Mirwaiz’s recent statement reflects the growth, peace, and progress that Kashmir has witnessed over the past several years and further reinforces the reality that Kashmiris have rejected Pakistan’s narrative. Such statements from Mirwaiz are not entirely new. On several occasions, he has appreciated the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Ministry for initiatives aimed at restoring peace, normalcy, and development in Kashmir. He has also removed separatist references from his social media profiles. While he may not have publicly renounced separatism in explicit terms, his recent actions and statements indicate a clear departure from his earlier political stance. Today, Kashmir is moving towards peace, progress, and development while rejecting Pakistan-backed narratives, with more and more people becoming part of the Valley’s changing and evolving landscape.
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