Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 27
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti met Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at his residence in Srinagar on Sunday, amid growing concern among religious and political leaders over drug abuse, suicide and other issues affecting young people.
Details of the meeting were not immediately available, but people familiar with the meeting said it was part of Mufti’s recent interactions with youth, scholars, women, artists and social and political activists on issues facing Kashmir.
The meeting follows a recent public convergence between the two over a proposed “Tantra in Silence” retreat in north Kashmir’s Gurez Valley.
Mufti had urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and police to intervene over the programme, while Mirwaiz subsequently called on the authorities to examine the event.
The administration later said no official permission or authorisation had been granted for the programme.
The meeting also comes after a recent conference of religious scholars led by Mirwaiz adopted resolutions expressing concern over drug abuse, suicides and self-harm among young people, as well as other social and environmental issues.
Mirwaiz has said such problems require a sustained social response and that religious institutions can help raise awareness and encourage families to seek professional assistance.
The latest meeting between Mufti and Mirwaiz comes amid wider discussion in Kashmir over social problems affecting young people.
