J&K Police Mosque Data Collection Form Faces Strong Opposition
A four-page profiling form issued by Jammu and Kashmir Police has ignited a major controversy in the region. The document seeks extensive details about mosques, their management committees, and religious preachers. This initiative has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, with accusations of rights violations, privacy breaches, and communal bias.
Islamic Groups and Political Leaders Voice Concerns
Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema, the largest grouping of Islamic organizations in Jammu and Kashmir, has strongly objected to the police exercise. On Tuesday, the MMU called upon the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government to intervene and halt the data collection process. The group expressed serious concerns about the profiling creating widespread insecurity among the local population.
It is important to note that J&K Police reports directly to the Centre-appointed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, not to the state government led by Omar Abdullah. This administrative separation adds complexity to the ongoing dispute.
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
Ruhullah Mehdi, National Conference's Srinagar MP and a prominent cleric, has characterized the mosque monitoring as part of a larger ideological project. He specifically mentioned the BJP-RSS framework while expressing his objections. Mehdi questioned the necessity of additional data collection when multiple security and surveillance layers already operate in Kashmir.
"Intelligence Bureau, CID, military intelligence, and paramilitary forces maintain their own intelligence wings in the region," Mehdi stated. "The government already possesses comprehensive personal details through documents like Aadhaar and PAN cards. This raises serious questions about the real purpose behind collecting more information."
The MP went further to suggest that such measures could eventually lead to controlling sermon content in mosques according to political preferences.
Waheed Parra of the Peoples Democratic Party warned about the dangerous consequences of selectively targeting one community. He emphasized that such actions would deepen existing mistrust and create a serious trust deficit. Parra advocated for dialogue with religious leaders instead of profiling them through administrative measures.
Detailed Information Sought in Police Form
The controversial police document requests comprehensive data about each mosque in the region. The required information includes:
- Ideological affiliation of the mosque
- Geographical coordinates and photographs
- Structural specifications and congregation capacity
- Financial details including bank account numbers
- Land ownership status and property records
The form extends its reach to individuals associated with religious institutions. It demands personal information about imams, mosque staff, and madrassa committee members. This includes:
- Parentage and family background details
- Languages known and marital status
- Passport numbers and foreign travel history
- Relatives living abroad
- Monthly income and property holdings
- Social media profiles and online presence
Growing Opposition and Official Silence
Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema has argued that the nature and depth of information being collected exceeds normal administrative requirements. The organization sees this as an attempt to control religious institutions through coercive means. MMU specifically highlighted that the exercise targets only the Muslim community of Jammu and Kashmir, making it particularly suspect.
The Islamic grouping has urgently appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to stop the profiling exercise immediately. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir's home department, which reports directly to the Lieutenant Governor, has maintained complete silence on the matter. Senior police officials have similarly declined to comment about the controversial data collection initiative.
The situation remains tense as religious organizations, political leaders, and community members await an official response to their concerns about privacy, religious freedom, and potential discrimination.
