Mirwaiz Umar Farooq should step up, lead and guide people: Altaf Bukhari

The useful part

Responding to the remarks, Bukhari said he viewed Mirwaiz's intervention positively but expected him to follow it up with practical steps. "I see Mirwaiz's statement very positively, but he will have to follow up this statement with practical steps," Bukhari said. He said Mirwaiz did not necessarily have to enter electoral politics to play such a role, but could use his influence to directly engage with the people.

How it works

• He can go to the people and explain to the people what to do and how to do it," Bukhari said.
• "When he will explain to the people, only then will people follow the path of truth," he added.
• "He does not want to come into practical politics, but he can guide, he can come forward.
• Bukhari also criticised what he described as the prevailing political discourse in J&K, alleging that people were being subjected to false promises and deceit.
• Referring to the criticism his party faced during the 2024 Assembly elections, he said the Apni Party had paid a political price for speaking what it considered the truth.

Details worth keeping

Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari today welcomed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's remarks on the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, but said he should go beyond statements and actively guide people if he wants to make a meaningful contribution. Mirwaiz on Saturday called on political parties in J&K to stand up for the rights and aspirations of the people, amid renewed debate over unfulfilled political commitments, including restoration of statehood and the broader question of Article 370. "There is only one Jamaat that has come out to speak the truth.