All Parties Hurriyat Conference president Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday removed the “Chairman” title from his verified accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. He explained that the decision came after authorities warned him that his social media accounts could be taken down because the Hurriyat Conference and its affiliated organisations are banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

In a post on X, Farooq said that for some time he had been under pressure from authorities to change his profile description, as all Hurriyat constituents — including the Awami Action Committee, which he leads — have been declared unlawful under the UAPA, effectively making the Hurriyat a prohibited organisation. He added that officials had told him his account would be removed if he did not comply.

Farooq said he had no real option but to follow the directive, noting that social media remains one of the few remaining channels through which he can communicate with the public and express his views. He described the situation as a “Hobson’s choice,” explaining that with public spaces and communication avenues heavily restricted, these platforms are vital for reaching people in Jammu and Kashmir and the wider world.

After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the Centre banned most constituent groups of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, with many senior leaders either arrested under strict laws or withdrawing from public life. The Awami Action Committee, Farooq’s own organisation, was also banned under anti-terror legislation. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference was established on March 9, 1993, and functions as an umbrella organisation for separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir.