Srinagar, Jan 13 — The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), Jammu and Kashmir’s largest conglomerate of Islamic organisations, on Tuesday raised strong objections to a police exercise seeking detailed personal and institutional information about mosques and their religious functionaries, calling it a breach of constitutional rights.
In a statement, the MMU said police are circulating “multi-page forms” to mosques across the Valley asking for “highly personal and sensitive information” about imams, khatibs, mosque committee members and even their families.
“The nature and depth of information being sought goes far beyond any routine administrative requirement and raises serious questions about intent,” the MMU said.
According to the body, the forms demand identity details, family particulars, financial information, phone numbers, social-media profiles, passport and travel history and even mobile phone IMEI numbers. The police are also seeking the ideological or sectarian affiliation of mosques, including whether they are Barelvi, Hanafi, Deobandi or Ahle-Hadith.
“Such an unprecedented and invasive data-collection exercise has caused widespread anxiety among religious institutions, imams, khatibs and the public,” the statement said.
The MMU said the exercise violates the right to privacy and freedom of religion guaranteed by 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,” it said.
It also objected to what it called the selective nature of the drive.
“That this exercise is specific only to the Muslim community of Jammu and Kashmir is itself suspect in its motives,” the MMU said.
Urging immediate intervention by the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, the MMU warned that the move was creating fear and mistrust.
“Measures that single out mosques and religious personnel in this manner are unjustified, counter-productive and harmful to social harmony,” the statement said.
The MMU demanded that the authorities withdraw the exercise without delay and respect the autonomy of religious institutions.
“Constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, privacy and the dignity of citizens must be upheld,” it added.
The organisation said it will soon convene a meeting of its constituent bodies and senior religious leaders to decide its future course of action if the exercise continues.
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