On Thursday, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti condemned the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s decision to attach the Hyderpora residence of the late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. This incident took place in Budgam district and has raised several questions about the state’s treatment of ordinary citizens.
Mufti labeled the police action as “unfortunate and inhuman,” emphasizing that Geelani’s 80-year-old widow still resides in the house. Speaking with reporters in Anantnag, she remarked, “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.”
She accused the government of effectively criminalizing the lives of ordinary Kashmiris. Mufti stated, “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. The BJP protested across Bihar over an insult to ‘mother’, but here even an 80-year-old widow has not been spared.”
Mufti warned that such actions only serve to deepen the existing rift between the people and the government. “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 questioned.
Drawing parallels to global conflicts, she highlighted the irony, stating, “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.”
Earlier this week, the Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed that the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat headquarters was attached under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Officials indicated that the three-story building, located on one kanal and one marla of land in Hyderpora, had been previously utilized by Geelani for his party. The Union Home Ministry banned Tehreek-e-Hurriyat in 2023, citing its role in “fomenting terrorism and spreading anti-India propaganda.” Geelani, who led the Hurriyat Conference, passed away in September 2022 and was buried near this residence.
Mufti also directed her ire towards the BJP, claiming that the ruling party is fanning the flames of communal strife to distract from its failures. “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,” she proclaimed.
