Kashmir’s chief cleric says dialogue, not confrontation, is the only path to lasting peace as his remarks on PM Modi fuel online discussion.
June 28, 2026: Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has sparked widespread discussion after comments made during his address at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid were interpreted by some social media users as praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Referring to Modi as one of India’s longest-serving leaders, Mirwaiz recalled that the Prime Minister had initially spoken about regional cooperation and improving ties with neighbouring countries. He said those early initiatives had generated hope across South Asia and suggested that Modi was in a position to revive dialogue between India and Pakistan.
Mirwaiz stressed that diplomacy should take precedence over conflict, drawing parallels with recent developments involving the United States, Israel and Iran. He argued that military confrontations ultimately end with negotiations, and that lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue. According to him, patience and diplomatic engagement remain the most effective way to resolve long-standing disputes.
Recalling the legacy of his father, Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq, who was assassinated in 1990, Mirwaiz said he has consistently advocated peaceful dialogue for over three decades. He also referred to past interactions between Hurriyat leaders and former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, saying such engagements helped reduce mistrust despite political differences.