Srinagar: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has removed the designation Chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference from his verified X profile. The change appeared on Thursday evening. His bio now carries only his name and location details. The account has over two lakh followers.
In a public post, Mirwaiz said authorities pressed him to alter his social media profile. He said officials cited the ban on all constituent groups of the Hurriyat Conference under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. This includes the Awami Action Committee, which he leads. He said officials warned of account removal if changes were not made.
Mirwaiz said social media remains one of the few channels left for public communication. He said public space and communication avenues stand under severe restriction. He described the decision as a forced choice made to retain contact with people in Kashmir and outside.
The Awami Action Committee faces a ban under the same law. Mirwaiz was not available for further comment after the post.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference formed in 1993 as a collective of separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir. Over the years, the platform coordinated protests, shutdowns, and political mobilisation across the Valley. Its influence declined due to internal divisions and sustained state action.
After the removal of Article 370 in 2019, authorities banned most Hurriyat factions. Several senior leaders faced arrests or withdrew from public life. These developments sharply reduced the group’s public presence.
The profile change highlights ongoing pressure on political expression in Kashmir. It also reflects shrinking digital and physical spaces for dissenting voices.
