Kashmir Police Mosque Data Drive Sparks Privacy and Religious Freedom Concerns

Jammu and Kashmir Police have initiated a data-gathering exercise to collect detailed information on mosques, madrassas, and their associated personnel, including personal and financial details. This move has drawn sharp criticism from religious bodies like the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) and political leaders, who describe it as intrusive, a violation of privacy and religious freedom, and an attempt to intimidate the Muslim community. Officials cite the need for security measures following the busting of a terror module as the reason for the exercise, aiming to create a comprehensive database.