Mehbooba Mufti, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq urge PM to release detained Kashmiris

Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark the occasion Eid Al-Adha with a humanitarian gesture by ordering the immediate release of prisoners, particularly youth, detained on suspicion or without serious charges.

“Such an act would reflect the essence of this festival, rebuild trust, and demonstrate a commitment to dialogue and reconciliation,” she said in a statement on Friday, adding that prolonged detentions without substantial evidence deepen alienation and hinder peace efforts in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Let us use this Eid to bridge divides and uplift the marginalised,” she said.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also called for prisoner release on Eid as “goodwill gesture.” Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid here, Mirwaiz expressed sorrow that for “thousands of families in J&K, the festival brings no joy.”

“Their sons, husbands, fathers and brothers have been incarcerated for years—many without trial—in jails within and outside J&K. And each passing day, more of our youth are detained,” he said.

Appealing to the Union government, he urged that a goodwill gesture be made by releasing these prisoners on the occasion of Eid. “If the Prime Minister truly seeks to reduce the ‘Dil ki Doori’ (distance of hearts) which he often mentions in his speeches, then such humanitarian steps are the real way forward. Train links are welcome, but it is the human links that truly matter and endure,” Mirwaiz said.