Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti sharply criticized the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday for their decision to attach the late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s residence in Hyderpora, located in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. This building also served as the headquarters for Geelani’s political outfit, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.
Mufti labeled the police action as “unfortunate and inhuman,” noting that Geelani’s 80-year-old widow still resides in the house. While addressing reporters in Anantnag, she expressed deep concern over the treatment of Kashmiris. She stated, “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.”
The PDP leader further condemned the government for what she termed the criminalization of ordinary Kashmiris. She remarked, “Although Geelani Sahib has left this world, his widow continues to live there. You might have differences with him—as we do with the 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 cautioned that these measures only amplify feelings of alienation among the populace. “By attaching Geelani’s house, you are not reducing distances but widening them. You have banned JEI schools, targeted madrasas, and now you attach homes. What have you made of Kashmir?”
She drew parallels between the situation in Kashmir and global conflicts, saying, “Even Israel and Hamas are attempting dialogue, but in Kashmir—where people stood with you in 1947—you are criminalising them. This is very bad.”
On Wednesday, the J&K Police announced the attachment of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat headquarters under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Officials disclosed that the three-story building on one kanal and one marla of land in Hyderpora, situated along Srinagar’s Airport Road, had been used by Geelani to manage the operations of the outfit. The Union Home Ministry imposed a ban on Tehreek-e-Hurriyat in 2023, citing its involvement in fostering terrorism and spreading anti-India propaganda. Notably, Geelani passed away in September 2022 and was interred near his home.
Continuing her critique, Mufti directed her ire towards the ruling BJP, accusing it of inciting communal hatred to distract the public from its shortcomings. “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 said.
