Justice, compassion cannot be separated from the pursuit of peace: Mirwaiz

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is the chief cleric of the Kashmir Valley and a leading public religious voice. He addresses worshippers at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid, while also speaking about peace, justice, and people’s political concerns. His role therefore links religious leadership with public debate.

On Friday, he discussed the International Crisis Group’s report, welcoming lower militancy, protests, and violence. He also warned that fewer protests do not prove grievances have ended. He called for compassion, reviewing detentions, restoring civil liberties, and allowing peaceful expression.

His influence comes through public sermons and interventions on Kashmir’s wider conditions, not merely worship. He cited 3,662 UAPA arrests from 2019 to 2023, compared with 23 convictions, and questioned prolonged detention. This makes him an important voice on how security, rights, and public trust shape any lasting peace.

The report says Jammu and Kashmir has seen less militancy, fewer street protests, and declining violence in recent years. This change matters because people across Kashmir have suffered greatly and value peace.

However, the report does not say the conflict is resolved. It warns that fewer violent incidents have not removed political grievances or restored public confidence. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq highlighted this distinction while speaking at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid.

The report also points to continued militarisation, arrests, restrictions, and alienation. Union Home Ministry figures show 3,662 UAPA arrests between 2019 and 2023, but only 23 convictions. Therefore, improved security could create space for easing restrictions, reviewing detentions, restoring civil liberties, and allowing peaceful expression. Lasting peace requires addressing political and human concerns, not security measures alone.

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA, is India’s main law against terrorism and unlawful activities. It allows the government to designate terrorist organisations or individuals, while investigators can arrest suspects, pursue prosecution, and seek extended investigation periods. Courts apply strict bail standards, so accused people can remain detained before trial; an accusation is not a conviction.

The article gives a Jammu and Kashmir example: authorities arrested 3,662 people under UAPA between 2019 and 2023. Union Home Ministry figures cited by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq recorded only 23 convictions during that period. The figures illustrate why the law’s reach matters: detention and prosecution can continue while authorities investigate alleged unlawful activity.

UAPA powers are intended to disrupt terrorism, but they also raise safeguards questions. The article highlights concerns about prolonged detention, due process, and widespread use of stringent laws. Going forward, the central challenge is protecting lives while preserving civil liberties, peaceful expression, and fair review of cases.

Between 2019 and 2023, 3,662 people were arrested under the UAPA in Jammu and Kashmir. Only 23 convictions were recorded, meaning fewer than one conviction for every 150 arrests. These figures matter because they raise questions about prolonged detention and due process.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq cited these figures while addressing Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid. He linked them to concerns about stringent laws and the incarceration of figures including Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Shahid Ul Islam and Engineer Rashid. The article does not provide individual conviction details, but it says Mirwaiz urged authorities to review their cases.

The figures show that reduced violence has not resolved Kashmir’s wider political and human concerns. Mirwaiz called for reviewing detentions, restoring civil liberties and allowing peaceful expression. Going forward, the data suggests that security policies need stronger attention to fair process and public confidence.

Long detention with few convictions can weaken public trust in justice and government. It may make people feel security laws punish suspicion instead of proven wrongdoing. That can restrict fair process and peaceful expression.

Mirwaiz cited 3,662 UAPA arrests in Jammu and Kashmir from 2019 to 2023, but only 23 convictions. When people remain jailed for years without final judgments, families and communities may see the system as unfair. Fear can also discourage political activity, reporting, and peaceful criticism.

The report says less violence does not prove political grievances are resolved. Nor does it prove public confidence has returned. Mirwaiz called for reviewing detentions, easing restrictions, restoring civil liberties, and allowing peaceful expression. Otherwise, reduced street violence may coexist with deeper alienation and lasting distrust.

The article identifies shrinking political and civic space as an obstacle to lasting peace. It points to restrictions on political activity, peaceful expression, free reporting, and civic life. These limits matter because they reduce peaceful channels for sharing grievances and rebuilding public confidence.

The concerns are illustrated by the incarceration of Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Shahid Ul Islam, and Engineer Rashid. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq urged authorities to review their cases. The article cites 3,662 arrests under the stringent UAPA law in Jammu and Kashmir from 2019 to 2023, but only 23 convictions. Prolonged detention and stringent laws can weaken trust in justice and discourage open participation.

Mirwaiz says reduced violence should create space for easing restrictions, reviewing detentions, and restoring civil liberties. He warns that peace cannot be measured only by the absence of protests. Meaningful peace requires security alongside expression, free reporting, political participation, and peaceful ways to address grievances.

A drop in violence shows fewer visible clashes, not necessarily agreement or trust. Political grievances can remain when people feel unheard, restricted, or unfairly treated. Peace lasts only when safety is matched by justice, rights, and a credible way to express concerns.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq cited 3,662 UAPA arrests from 2019 to 2023, but only 23 convictions. That gap can deepen alienation because prolonged detention and strict laws may make security feel like punishment, especially when political and civic activity is restricted.

The International Crisis Group report found militancy, protests, and violence have declined, yet public confidence has not necessarily returned. Mirwaiz urged reviewing detentions, restoring civil liberties, and allowing peaceful expression. Governments must protect lives while addressing grievances, due process, and people’s aspirations.