Former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has been stopped from offering prayers at Srinagar’s revered Hazratbal mosque. He was supposed to visit the shrine where a big gathering is expected for the congregational Friday noon prayers on the occasion of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth celebrations. According to his party sources, people are aware that the administration conveyed to Abdullah, that he would not be allowed to go to Hazratbal mosque.
A spokesperson for Abdullah’s National Conference (NC) said the administration has blocked the exit to the latter’s residence to stop him from going to Hazratbal. The spokesperson said that their party, NC condemns this infringement of the fundamental right to pray, especially on the auspicious occasion of Milad Un Nabi [the prophet’s birthday].
People had already anticipated that the administration would convey to Abdullah, who is also a member of Parliament, that he would not be allowed to go to Hazratbal.
People’s Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti tweeted“It is a gross violation of our rights & is highly condemnable,” She said that stopping Abdullah from offering prayers exposes the government of India’s deep paranoia and iron-fisted approach towards Jammu & Kashmir.
