PDP’s Parra Defends Hurriyat’s Umar Farooq, Draws Flawed Historical Analogy

Srinagar: PDP leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed Parra came out in defence of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq after the latter removed the Hurriyat Conference designation from his X profile, describing the decision as an act of restraint and a demonstration of leadership.

In a post on X, Parra said history remembers the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s acceptance of changes in wording in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah not as compromise, but as wisdom, foresight, and moral courage. Drawing a parallel, he suggested that Mirwaiz’s step to remove the APHC tag, if taken as an act of peace under prevailing circumstances, should not be weaponised against him.

Parra added that choosing peace over rigidity should be seen as leadership rather than weakness. He said Mirwaiz had acted within the framework of law and circumstance, and alleged that criticism and online attacks were aimed at undermining him.

Parra also highlighted the personal sacrifices of the Mirwaiz family, saying targeting him in this manner does not serve justice or peace, but deepens divisions.

While Parra’s remarks were intended to portray Mirwaiz’s decision as prudent and responsible, the historical analogy he invoked is nonetheless flawed. Equating a centuries-old religious and political treaty, with wide-reaching moral and political consequences, to a contemporary administrative adjustment on social media is historically inaccurate and contextually inappropriate. The comparison trivialises the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and misrepresents the nature of the pressures Mirwaiz faced, reducing a complex contemporary political decision to a symbolic narrative that does not hold.

Parra’s public support for Mirwaiz, a figure long associated with separatist politics, has also raised questions about possible political calculations. It suggests either a potential attempt by the PDP to engage Mirwaiz or a signalling of a shift by Mirwaiz toward mainstream political engagement. Mirwaiz himself said that authorities pressed him to alter his profile, warning of possible action otherwise. His compliance, combined with Parra’s endorsement, has blurred established political and ideological lines, generating speculation about realignment and strategy in the region.