Srinagar: Concerns over religious freedom and privacy have grown in Kashmir after police began distributing forms titled profiling of mosques across Srinagar and other areas. Mosque committees, imams, and community members say the exercise has created fear and anxiety within the Muslim majority region.
Residents report police sought detailed information through a four page form. One section seeks data on mosques, including sect affiliation, year of establishment, funding sources, expenditure, land ownership, and congregation capacity. The remaining pages demand personal details of imams, muezzins, khatibs, and other staff. These include phone numbers, emails, passport details, bank information, social media accounts, relatives abroad, and mobile phone models. Similar forms reportedly reached madrasas.
Families linked to mosque management say repeated data collection has disrupted daily life. Many fear misuse of personal information in a conflict affected region. Religious workers describe the exercise as intrusive and unsafe for households.
The Mutahida Majlis e Ulema, an umbrella body of Islamic groups in Kashmir, opposed the profiling. It stated mosques serve worship, guidance, and community welfare. It said internal religious affairs should remain free from invasive scrutiny. The group urged authorities to stop the exercise, warning it weakens trust among Muslims.
Several imams have delayed filling the forms due to privacy concerns. They question why police require extensive personal and family information unrelated to public order.
Political leaders across parties criticised the move. Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti described the profiling as discriminatory and said it turns mosques into crime scenes. Leaders from the National Conference said repeated surveys lack necessity and pledged to raise the issue with the lieutenant governor.
The BJP defended the exercise, arguing monitoring ensures transparency and prevents misuse of religious spaces. Community members remain concerned. Many fear future control over sermons and religious practices, deepening unease over shrinking religious autonomy in Kashmir.
