NC legislators ask L-G to release people detained during protests against US & Israel in Kashmir

Srinagar, March 15 (IANS) Legislators of J&K's ruling National Conference (NC) on Sunday requested J&K Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, to order the release of people detained during the anti-US and anti-Israel protests in Kashmir. 

A delegation, led by NC spokesperson and Zadibal MLA, Tanvir Sadiq, gave a memorandum to the L-G, seeking to draw his "urgent attention to the arrests, detentions, and registration of FIRs against citizens who participated in mourning gatherings following the death of Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who was martyred on 28 February 2026."

"We respectfully urge Your Excellency to direct the immediate release of all detained individuals, the withdrawal of all FIRs, and a halt to any further punitive action against those who gathered spontaneously and peacefully to express their grief."

The memorandum noted that Ayatollah Khamenei was not merely a head of state for a significant section of Kashmiri Muslims but "a revered religious and spiritual leader, a Marja’ (source of emulation), and a figure of profound theological authority. His passing was therefore experienced not as a geopolitical development but as a moment of deep personal and religious loss".

It said that despite the peaceful and religious nature of these gatherings, the administrative response has been disproportionate and may prove counterproductive. "FIRs have been registered, including the invocation of provisions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a stringent law whose application against mourners sets a deeply concerning precedent."

The NC memorandum stressed that among those arrested are several young individuals who have only recently crossed the age of 18.

"Many of them are barely adults and appear to have participated in these gatherings in the emotional atmosphere of mourning. We respectfully submit that their youth and the circumstances surrounding the gatherings merit a compassionate and balanced approach, ensuring that their future is not unduly burdened by harsh legal proceedings."

It pointed out that mourning gatherings for Ayatollah Khamenei were held in Lucknow, Kargil, New Delhi, Mumbai, and several other cities across India without any legal action, and it is "therefore both inconsistent and unjust that citizens in Jammu & Kashmir alone face criminal prosecution forexpressing the same grief".

“Such disparity undermines the constitutional promise of equal citizenship and equal protection under the law. In light of the foregoing, we respectfully request Your Excellency to kindly ensure the following with immediate effect: Immediate release of all persons detained in connection with the mourning gatherings following the death of Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, withdrawal of all FIRs registered against participants in these gatherings, including those filed under UAPA and related provisions in Police Stations Zadibal, Lalbazar, Chattargam, Pattan, Budgam, Sumbal, Shalteng, Rainawari, HabbaKadal, and other police stations across the Kashmir Valley, a halt to any further arrests or punitive measures targeting individuals for their participation in these mourning gatherings."

The NC said that as the holy month of Ramzan draws to a close and the blessed occasion of Eid approaches, it requested that the administration consider withdrawing these FIRs and releasing the detained individuals "as a gesture of goodwill and reconciliation" as this "would greatly help in fostering a sense of relief, compassion, and trust among the people during this sacred period".

--IANS

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