PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday strongly criticised the ongoing profiling of mosques and imams in Kashmir, calling it a direct interference in the religious affairs of Muslims.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Speaking to reporters, Mehbooba Mufti said that if religious places require profiling, the authorities should begin with temples across the country. She questioned why such an exercise was being carried out only for mosques.
“The latest order for mosques is interference in our religious matters. If they want to do this, they should start with other religions as well,” she said.
“Let them collect details of priests in temples and also explain in which temples shudras can enter and where only Brahmins are allowed,” she added.
The PDP leader further said authorities should also gather information about the money charged for entering temples, questioning the selective nature of the exercise.
Mehbooba Mufti said police already have records of mosques in Jammu and Kashmir, including land details. However, she said the fresh demand for personal information of maulvis and imams was excessive and alarming.
“Seeking photos, Aadhaar cards, and such deep profiling is an attempt to intimidate Muslims and keep them away from their religion in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
She claimed that imams and mosque management committees are deeply disturbed by the exercise. According to her, the five-page proforma makes religious workers appear like suspects.
“The way OGWs are treated at police stations, mosques are being treated like crime scenes. Imams, teachers, and masjid committee members are being asked for details as if they are criminals,” she said.
Mehbooba also dared the government to carry out similar profiling of gurudwaras and churches, warning that such practices could eventually spread to mosques across the country.
She expressed concern over the government’s silence, saying authorities avoid responsibility by blaming her party whenever questioned.
“They have no answers. Wherever they fail, they say it was done by PDP or Mufti,” she said.
Commenting on the recent dismissal of five government employees, Mehbooba said people were being punished without due process. She questioned whether any court had proven the allegations.
“Were they given a chance to defend themselves? What kind of hatred is this against Muslims?” she asked.
On demands by some BJP leaders for a separate Jammu state, Mehbooba warned that Jammu would suffer the most if such a move ever happened. She recalled the public discomfort after the suspension of the Darbar Move in 2019.
She also addressed the controversy over the National Law University, saying it was for Omar Abdullah to resolve.
Reacting to Omar Abdullah’s remarks on the Indus Water Treaty, Mehbooba said weaponising water was against humanity. She accused the chief minister of following the BJP’s line on the issue.
She further questioned the transfer of power projects to the NHPC, saying the people of Jammu and Kashmir suffered heavy losses because of decisions taken in the past.
“Will the Government of India compensate us for the losses caused by handing over power projects on peanuts?” she asked.
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