Frontline Conversations

Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the religious head of Kashmiri Muslims, talks to Amit Baruah in this episode of Frontline Conversations at his home in Nigeen, Srinagar. After years of house arrest, he shares his views on Kashmir's current situation and its future. The Mirwaiz discusses the recent elections in Kashmir, calling them a "consolidated ballot" against the changes made by New Delhi since 2019. He says people voted to show they reject these changes, not because they're happy with the "Naya Kashmir" idea. He talks about how the BJP government's actions have affected Kashmir. The Mirwaiz believes that removing Article 370 hasn't solved any problems. Instead, he thinks it has made the Kashmir issue more international, with China now involved because of Ladakh.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq compares the current BJP government with Atal Bihari Vajpayee's time. He remembers Vajpayee's efforts to solve the Kashmir issue "within the ambit of insaniyat" (humanity). The Mirwaiz sees the current government's approach as very different, saying it wants to "finish the identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir."

He shares his concerns about the treatment of Muslims across India, saying Kashmiris are watching what's happening in other states. The Mirwaiz believes these actions are pushing Kashmiris further away from New Delhi. The interview also covers the Mirwaiz's personal situation. He talks about his long house arrest and current restrictions on his movement. Despite these challenges, he continues to speak out when he can. The Mirwaiz ends with a call for addressing the Kashmir issue. He says that as long as Kashmir remains divided between India and Pakistan, the problem will stay alive. He hopes future governments will return to dialogue and find a fair solution.

Speaking after securing his fifth term as an MLA, M.Y. Tarigami paints a complex picture of a populace eager for democratic expression yet constrained by years of political turmoil and centralised control. He describes the elections as a watershed moment, where citizens across all demographics seized a rare opportunity to voice their concerns through the ballot, breaking a long spell of enforced silence. However, Tarigami’s optimism is tempered with caution as he outlines the challenges ahead: a polarised political landscape, diminished local autonomy, and the delicate balancing act required in dealing with the Central government.