Srinagar, Jan 13 (KNS) :President of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and former Minister, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, on Wednesday strongly criticised the reported move by authorities to profile mosques, madrassas and individuals associated with their management in Kashmir, terming it a grave infringement of constitutional rights, religious freedom and personal liberty.
Yaseen said that the sweeping enumeration drive, which seeks intrusive personal, financial and digital details of imams, teachers and management committee members, reflects a deeply flawed and prejudicial approach that unfairly places religious institutions and clerics under suspicion.
“Branding mosques and madrassas as potential centres of radicalisation without any individual-specific evidence is not only unjust but also dangerous for social harmony,” he said.
The PDF chief asserted that Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and any attempt to monitor or scrutinise religious institutions en masse amounts to state overreach and collective vilification of an entire community.
“Law enforcement must act against individuals involved in criminal or terror-related activities, but extending suspicion to religious institutions as a whole is unacceptable in a democratic society,” he added.
Yaseen expressed serious concern over the demand for details such as Aadhaar numbers, bank accounts, property records, social media handles, IMEI numbers and sectarian affiliations, calling it a gross violation of privacy and a step that could lead to misuse and harassment.
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“Such excessive data collection has no parallel in dealing with other religious institutions and reflects a discriminatory mindset,” he said.
He further warned that linking theological schools of thought or sectarian identities to extremism is factually incorrect and socially inflammatory, particularly in Kashmir where religious diversity has historically coexisted peacefully. “This narrative undermines Kashmir’s pluralistic and Sufi traditions instead of strengthening them,” Yaseen noted.
The PDF president urged the administration to immediately halt the profiling exercise, ensure transparency, and engage with religious leaders and civil society to address security concerns within the bounds of law and constitutional morality.
“Security cannot be built by eroding trust. Alienating communities through suspicion-driven policies will only widen the gap between the state and the people,” he said.
Yaseen reiterated that PDF stands firmly for rule of law, civil liberties and communal harmony, and will oppose any policy that targets institutions of faith under the guise of security without due process. (KNS)