Kashmiri journalist Irfan Mehraj has completed more than 1,000 days in jail, prompting the Journalist Federation of Kashmir (JFK) to once again demand his immediate release. The federation said his prolonged incarceration shows how the “process itself has become punishment” and reflects the deteriorating state of press freedom and civil liberties in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement, JFK said Irfan’s continued detention is not only a personal and professional tragedy for him and his family, but also a serious warning sign for independent journalism in the region. “Journalism is not a crime,” the federation said, adding that reporting on human rights, social issues, and ground realities cannot be treated as criminal activity.
“Irfan Mehraj is a respected journalist from Srinagar. Over the years, he has built a reputation for careful, ethical and courageous journalism. His work has focused on social justice, human rights, public health and issues affecting ordinary people across Jammu and Kashmir. He is the founding editor of Wande Magazine, has served as a senior editor with TwoCircles.net, and has contributed to several local, national and international publications, including Rising Kashmir, Himal & the Deutsche Welle,” the JFK said.
Even while in prison, Irfan’s journalism has received recognition. In 2024, he was awarded the Human Rights and Religious Freedom Journalism Award for his reporting on the heroin epidemic in Kashmir.
Irfan was arrested on March 20, 2023, and has since been lodged in a Delhi jail under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. JFK said the continued use of harsh laws like the UAPA against journalists raises serious concerns about due process and shrinking space for independent reporting.
“The prolonged detention of a working journalist sends a chilling message to the media community,” JFK said. “It discourages reporters from doing factual, ground-level journalism and weakens the public’s right to know.”
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com. Read the full story here.
