Srinagar, Dec 26, KNT: Chairman of the Hurriyat Conference and senior religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Thursday said he was compelled to make changes to his X handle after being repeatedly pressed by the authorities, who warned that his account could otherwise be taken down.
In a statement posted on X, Mirwaiz said that for some time he had been under pressure to remove references identifying him as Hurriyat chairman, citing the ban imposed on all constituents of the Hurriyat Conference, including the Awami Action Committee which he heads, under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. He said the authorities conveyed that since Hurriyat has been declared a banned organisation, his social media handle could not continue to reflect that association.
Mirwaiz said the situation left him with no real choice, describing it as a Hobson’s choice, particularly at a time when public space and avenues for communication are severely restricted. He said the platform remains one of the very few means available to him to reach out to his people, convey his views on issues affecting them, and communicate with the outside world.
The religious leader expressed concern over what he described as shrinking space for expression and outreach, stating that social media had become an essential channel for him to remain connected with the public amid prevailing restrictions.
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The development has drawn attention to the broader issue of access to communication platforms and the impact of organisational bans on individual expression, especially for public figures in Jammu and Kashmir. [KNT]
