Mehbooba Mufti, the president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), sharply criticized the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday for their controversial decision to attach the Hyderpora residence of late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. This property, located in Budgam district, served as the headquarters for Geelani’s Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.
Mufti branded the police action as “unfortunate and inhuman,” particularly highlighting the distress it causes to Geelani’s 80-year-old widow, who continues to reside there. Speaking to reporters in Anantnag, she reflected on this tragic juxtaposition, stating, “Today is Gandhi Ji’s day. He once said he saw a ray of light in Kashmir when the whole of Asia was burning. Now the same Kashmir is seen as criminal, its people as criminals, their homes and businesses as criminals. Even employees are being sacked by labelling them anti-nationals.”
In her strong rebuttal, Mufti accused the government of working to criminalize ordinary Kashmiris. She argued, “Geelani Sahib has left this world, but his widow lives there. You might have differences with him, just as we have with RSS ideology, but attaching his home is inhuman.” Her comments resonated with a growing sentiment in the region that the current political climate is intolerable, especially for vulnerable families.
Mufti warned that measures like these only exacerbate feelings of alienation among the people. She emphasized, “By attaching Geelani’s house, you are not reducing distances but widening them. You banned JEI schools, you targeted madrasas, now you attach homes. What have you made of Kashmir?”
She drew global comparisons, highlighting conflicts where dialogue remains a possibility, asserting, “Even Israel and Hamas are attempting dialogue, but in Kashmir—where people stood with you in 1947—you are criminalizing them. This is very bad.”
On the preceding day, the Jammu and Kashmir Police announced the attachment of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat headquarters under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Police officials noted that the three-story structure, which sits on one kanal and one marla of land along Srinagar’s Airport Road, was once pivotal for Geelani’s operational activities. Notably, the Union Home Ministry had banned the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat in 2023, citing its role in fomenting terrorism and spreading anti-India propaganda. Geelani passed away in September 2022 at this very residence, and he was laid to rest close by.
In a broader political critique, Mufti accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using communal tensions to deflect attention from their governance failures. She stated, “They have no jobs, no hospitals, no roads. So they divide Hindus and Muslims to seek votes. What should I say about Yogi Ji, Bulldozer Baba? May God give them wisdom.” Her comments have sparked discussions on the current political narrative surrounding communal issues in Jammu and Kashmir.
The situation remains tense, as Mufti’s articulation of the current challenges resonates with many Kashmiris who feel sidelined and aggrieved by ongoing government actions. Observers worry that such steps could deepen divisions and hinder the possibility of achieving lasting peace in the region.
