Srinagar: Kashmir cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said the Centre's unilateral decisions in 2019 with regard to Jammu and Kashmir have not resolved the conflict in the region, which can erupt at anytime. He also pointed out that the "trust deficit" between the people of Kashmir and New Delhi "has widened, not shrunk", according to a report by PTI.
Mirwaiz, who was put under house arrest on Friday and not allowed to lead the congregational prayers at the Jamia Masjid here, addressed people through a video posted on his X handle.
He said as another year begins, "painful memories of 2025 stay with us".
"It was a year marked by tragedy and uncertainty. The horrific Pahalgam attack shook us deeply. Unequivocally condemned by one and all in the valley, it led to a lot of anxiety among the people as they were targeted and homes demolished. This was followed by another India-Pakistan war and a stark reminder of how fragile peace in the region continues to be," he said.
He also referred to the blast near the Red Fort in Delhi in November.
"Despite making unilateral changes in 2019, the reality is that the Kashmir conflict continues to keep the region in an unsettled state that can erupt anytime. That is why wars are paused, not ended, and dialogue finds no takers," the Mirwaiz said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre abrogated the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5, 2019, and bifurcated the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into Union territories.
The Muslim religious leader said "not much has changed" for Kashmiris, who find themselves at the "receiving end of suspicion and attacks" in parts of India.
"The trust deficit between them (Kashmiris) and New Delhi has widened, not shrunk. Enforced silence is projected as acquiescence. Wounds remain open, problems unaddressed and an elected government of a Union Territory complains of being powerless," he said.