Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) – A political and social controversy has erupted in Kashmir following the removal of Government employees accused of assisting Jihadi terrorists and the Jammu & Kashmir Police’s ongoing verification drive of mosques across the Valley.
The Police have initiated an exercise to collect comprehensive information on mosques and religious functionaries. As part of this drive, 4-page forms have been distributed to several mosques in different parts of Kashmir. One page seeks information about the mosque, while the remaining pages seek personal and professional details of individuals associated with mosque management and religious activities.
Information sought about mosques
The form seeks details regarding the mosque’s denomination, seating capacity, physical structure, construction cost, monthly expenditure, sources of funding, land ownership, and the composition of the management committee.
Information sought about individuals
The remaining pages seek information about Imams, Muezzins, Khatibs, members of mosque management committees, and Bait-ul-Mal functionaries. Personal details being sought include Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, passport and driving licence numbers, bank account details, ATM and credit card information.
The form also asks for the model of mobile phones used, IMEI numbers, social media accounts, travel history, income and expenditure, property ownership, and details of relatives living abroad. Family details such as information about parents, siblings, and children are also required. Individuals must declare whether they have ever been involved in terrorist or criminal cases. The form further seeks information regarding ideological affiliations linked to mosques.
Political reaction
Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti strongly criticised the move. She said that collecting such information from mosques amounted to direct interference in religion. She said the Government should conduct a similar exercise in temples as well and decide which groups are allowed to visit which temples, alleging that Dalit children are beaten if they enter temples belonging to other groups.
She said that collecting information on mosques was an open threat aimed at keeping Muslims away from mosques. She further alleged that collecting photographs of Imams, Aadhaar details and other personal information was being done deliberately to instil fear among Muslims.
Concerns of religious organisations
Maqtoob Mirwaiz Hasan Firdousi, President of the Mutahida Aima Forum, said that the process was a complete violation of fundamental rights, privacy and personal data protection. He said that mosques are sacred places of worship, guidance and social service, and that arbitrary surveillance and intrusive enquiries into their internal religious affairs should not be conducted.
He added that the nature and depth of the information being sought far exceeded any routine administrative requirement.
“Statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are being installed to target Muslims !” : France 24
Actor Aamir Khan is the ‘brand ambassador’ of ‘Love Jihad’; Boycott his films ! : Minister Nitesh Rane
Supreme Court refuses to interfere with Bombay High Court’s decision acquitting all the accused !
Women are sexually exploited at the madarasa; foreign funding is also received !
Fifteen officials, including a corrupt Deputy Collector and Tehsildars in Pune, suspended !
Every graveyard in Kashmir contains the graves of Pakistani terrorists !