Mufti Attacks Centre Over Closure Of Mosques In Kashmir, Alleges 'Disrespect For Sentiments Of Majority Community'

The closure of a few mosques and shrines in Srinagar, including Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta, comes as the city recently witnessed a sharp rise in the number of novel coronavirus cases.

File Photo

New Delhi: Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, on Saturday accused the Union government of bias, saying preventing people from offering prayers at mosques and shrines in Kashmir shows its "disrespect" for the sentiments of the majority community.

The president of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was reacting to the continuous closure of a few mosques and shrines in Srinagar city in the wake of a spike in COVID-19 cases.

"Preventing people from offering prayers & obeisance at mosques & shrines in Kashmir shows GOIs disrespect for sentiments of the majority community. Especially at a time when parks & public spaces are open & countless crowded govt functions held through the day. Reeks of bias (sic)," the PDP president wrote on Twitter.

Preventing people from offering prayers & obeisance at mosques & shrines in Kashmir shows GOIs disrespect for sentiments of the majority community. Especially at a time when parks & public spaces are open & countless crowded govt functions held through the day. Reeks of bias. pic.twitter.com/cf1LJ9at0H

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 2, 2021

The closure of a few mosques and shrines in Srinagar, including Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta, comes as the city recently witnessed a sharp rise in the number of novel coronavirus cases.

The authorities on September 24 imposed a 10-day long curfew in some parts of the district to contain the surge. 

“There shall be strict Corona Curfew in the areas of Zadibal (SMC Ward No’s: 55-Hawal, 56-Alamgari Bazar, & 63-Kathi Darwaz) and Lal Bazar (SMC Ward No’s: 59-Lalbazar, 60-Botshah Mohalla, 61-Umer Colony) for a period of 10 days starting from today,” the DM's order had read.

As per the guidelines, all essential services, including incidental services and activities, have been allowed to continue. Standalone grocery/vegetable/meat/milk shops can also remain open and functional from 7 am to 11 am.

On the other hand, all educational institutions have to remain closed. No social gatherings/functions, whether indoors or outdoors, have been permitted.