PDP President Mehbooba Mufti. File | Photo credit: PTI
Police profiling of mosques in Kashmir amounts to “interference in religious affairs” and “an attempt to deprive Muslims of their faith”, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said on Wednesday (Jan 14, 2026). The ruling National Conference (NC) has also asked Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha to clarify his stand on the issue.
“Mosques in Kashmir are being profiled as places of crime. Like ground workers, imams and administrators are being called to police stations. This has created fear among worshipers and administrators. It is not just interference in religious affairs but also an attempt to deprive Muslims of their faith,” Mufti said.
She questioned the J&K police’s focus on mosques only. “Why not profile temples on the basis of caste? Will temples, gurudwaras or churches face the same? The profiling of mosques that started in J&K will soon spread across the country,” Ms Mufti said.
Extensive personal data
She was commenting on the recent forms distributed among mosques in the valley seeking personal details of all those associated with the operation and management of the mosques. This includes family details, financial information, phone details, digital and social media profiles, passport details, travel history and even phone IMEI details.
Ms Mufti accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of remaining silent on the issue.
Meanwhile, NC leader and MP Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan said the ongoing police verification of mosques was “unwarranted”.
“Order issued by LG office”
“The order regarding verification of mosques was not issued by the elected government. The J&K Police functions under the office of the Lt. Governor,” Mr. Ramzan said, adding that no such exercise had been conducted in the past. “Only the lieutenant governor could explain the purpose of this move. Any action perceived as interference in religious affairs amounts to intrusion,” he said.
He added that the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will enable the elected government to take control of law and order issues. “Statehood should be restored in the same way it existed before,” he said.
On Tuesday, Mr Ramzan commented on the dismissal of five staff over alleged terrorist links: “Actions should follow due process. Individuals must be given the opportunity to defend themselves. Punitive measures often affect entire families.” According to him, such steps are unnecessary.
Published – 14 Jan 2026 21:06 IST
