Mosque profiling drive by police in Valley triggers political, religious outcry

The Jammu and Kashmir Police’s decision to launch a large-scale exercise in the Valley seeking detailed information about mosques, their management committees, and clerics has triggered sharp criticism from religious and political leaders. The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), the largest conglomerate of Islamic religious organisations in Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday expressed deep concern over what it described as an “extensive and intrusive” police exercise.

In a statement, the MMU said it had learnt that the police were distributing detailed, multi-page forms seeking sensitive personal information about mosques, their management committees, imams, khatibs, individuals associated with places of worship, and even their family members. The religious body termed the exercise a violation of fundamental rights, including the right to privacy guaranteed under the Constitution. “Mosques are sacred institutions meant for worship, guidance and community service. Their internal religious affairs cannot be subjected to arbitrary surveillance and intrusive scrutiny,” the statement said.

The MMU urged elected representatives to intervene immediately and appealed to the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to withdraw the exercise without delay. “Measures that single out mosques and religious personnel in this manner are unjustified, counterproductive and harmful to social harmony,” it said.

The MMU also said it would convene a meeting of its constituent members and senior religious leaders shortly to deliberate on the issue and decide its future course of action if the exercise continues.

National Conference leader and Srinagar MP Syed Aga Ruhullah alleged that the move amounted to surveillance and intimidation, infringing upon the constitutional freedom of religious practice. “This is an injustice to the Constitution,” he said, alleging that authorities were attempting to control the practices of a particular religion.

“They seem to be trying to intimidate religious preachers and control religious practices. It appears that sermons may be dictated, which is deeply troubling,” he added.

The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), led by jailed MP Engineer Rashid, also criticised the move, describing it as “policing faith.” AIP chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said, “This is neither governance nor security; it is intimidation. Monitoring prayers and religious gatherings sends a chilling message across society and pushes people into fear and silence.”

Former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu condemned the exercise, calling it “an absolutely condemnable and atrocious move that reeks of blatant misuse of authority at the cost of the fundamental rights of citizens.”

“There should be no place for ethnic, religious or racial profiling in India. It is an assault on the idea of India. We cannot suspend the Constitution to fight terror,” Mattu wrote on X.

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Courtesy: The Tribune -14-Jan-2026