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Mehbooba, Sajjad Lone claim to be placed under house arrest

Say attempt to stop them from visiting Sopore to offer condolences on the demise of Prof Abdul Gani Bhat
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti. PTI FILE

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Several political leaders, including Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, on Thursday claimed they were placed under house arrest following the death of former Hurriyat Conference chairman Prof Abdul Gani Bhat.

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Prof Bhat, 90, passed away at his residence in Sopore on Wednesday evening after a prolonged illness.

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“The decision to place the political leadership under house arrest today, simply to stop us from visiting Sopore to offer condolences on the demise of Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, lays bare the harsh and undemocratic reality in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mehbooba said in a post on X.

Referring to the recent controversy at the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar, Mehbooba said that the public anger there was a “loud, unmistakable message.”

“What unfolded at Hazratbal Dargah—the eruption of spontaneous, raw public anger—was not just an isolated incident. It was a loud, unmistakable message from a people pushed to the edge. The BJP, however, remains wilfully blind to this truth, refusing to learn anything from the deep anguish and suppressed emotions that have been building for years now,” she said.

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“It is becoming increasingly clear that the BJP has no interest in peace or healing in Kashmir. Instead, they seem determined to keep the region in a constant state of turmoil, weaponising pain and unrest for political mileage across the rest of the country. This cynical approach is not just irresponsible; it is dangerous and utterly reprehensible,” the former chief minister added.

People’s Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone also claimed he had been placed under house arrest and prevented from visiting Prof Bhat’s home. “I fail to understand what is the need for this. Professor Sahib was a pacifist and literally long retired. A final goodbye is something which we all deserved,” Lone said.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the current chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, similarly stated that he was placed under house arrest on Wednesday night. “It pains me beyond words that the authorities compelled the family of Prof. Sb to conclude his ‘janazah’ hurriedly. I have been locked inside my home, and being denied the right to walk with him in his final journey,” Mirwaiz said on X.

On Thursday, Mirwaiz further remarked: “Thousands who wished to attend his (Prof Abdul Gani Bhat’s) funeral, offer condolences to the bereaved family, and share in the collective grief were denied this basic right. Being locked inside their homes, prevented from paying their last respects, was a cruelty that has only deepened the sorrow of his passing.”

Reacting to the restrictions on political leaders, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticised the move while speaking to reporters in Gulmarg. “On the one hand, we say everything is fine and a new Jammu and Kashmir has been created, but we don’t trust our own people. What would have happened if Mehbooba Mufti or Sajad Lone had gone there?”

Srinagar MP Syed Aga Ruhullah also condemned the restrictions. “Acts that obstruct the conduct of last rites according to one’s faith are condemnable and against our shared values of respect and humanity.”

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has not issued any official statement regarding the alleged house arrests of political leaders.

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#AbdulGaniBhat#HurriyatConference#PoliticalRestrictionsHouseArrestJammuAndKashmirKashmirKashmirPoliticsMehboobaMuftiOmarAbdullahSajadLone
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