Kashmir Groups Concerned Over Police Profiling of Mosques
Kashmir groups express anxiety over police seeking mosque details, citing privacy concerns.
Photo by Markus Spiske
Various groups in Kashmir have expressed deep concern over the Jammu and Kashmir police's alleged move to collect detailed information about mosques, including personal details of imams, muezzins, and management committee members. The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) stated that the police are distributing forms seeking sensitive information, including family particulars, financial sources, and social media profiles.
The MMU and other political leaders have criticized this action as a violation of fundamental rights and privacy, urging Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene and suspend the exercise. The police have neither confirmed nor denied these allegations.
Key Facts
Information sought: Personal details of mosque members
Concern: Violation of fundamental rights
Organization: Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU)
Action urged: Intervention by Lieutenant-Governor
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper 2: Polity and Governance - Issues relating to fundamental rights, secularism, and state-religion relations
GS Paper 3: Security - Role of religious institutions in conflict zones, internal security challenges
Potential question types: Analytical questions on the balance between security and civil liberties, critical evaluation of state policies in Kashmir
Visual Insights
Mosque Density in Jammu & Kashmir
Map showing the distribution of mosques across districts in Jammu & Kashmir. The color gradient indicates the relative density of mosques. This highlights the areas where police profiling activities are likely concentrated.
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More Information
Background
The relationship between the state and religious institutions in Kashmir has a complex history, predating even Indian independence. Historically, Sufi traditions played a significant role in shaping the region's cultural and social fabric. The rise of political Islam in the late 20th century, coupled with separatist movements, led to increased scrutiny of religious institutions by the state.
The state's involvement in managing Auqaf properties (religious endowments) also has a long history, often justified on the grounds of preventing mismanagement and ensuring secular governance. This involvement has been a source of contention, with some viewing it as an infringement on religious freedom and autonomy. The current concerns about profiling must be viewed against this backdrop of historical tensions and evolving state-religion dynamics in the region.
Latest Developments
In recent years, there's been a noticeable increase in surveillance and security measures in Kashmir, particularly after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. This has included increased monitoring of public spaces and activities. The use of technology for surveillance, such as CCTV cameras and social media monitoring, has also become more prevalent.
The government's stated objective is to maintain law and order and prevent anti-national activities. However, civil society groups and human rights organizations have raised concerns about the potential for misuse of these powers and the impact on civil liberties. The current allegations of mosque profiling fit into this broader trend of heightened security measures and increased state scrutiny in the region.
The future likely holds continued debates about the balance between security concerns and individual rights.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Which of the following statements best describes the constitutional position regarding state intervention in religious affairs in India?
- A.The state has absolute authority to regulate all aspects of religious institutions.
- B.The state can only intervene in religious affairs to prevent financial mismanagement of religious endowments.
- C.The state can intervene in religious affairs to maintain public order, morality, and health, but must respect religious freedom.
- D.The state is constitutionally prohibited from any involvement in religious matters.
Show Answer
Answer: C
Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion, subject to public order, morality, and health. The state can therefore intervene to regulate religious affairs within these limits.
2. Consider the following statements regarding the role of Auqaf in Jammu and Kashmir: I. Auqaf are religious endowments managed by the state government. II. The administration of Auqaf properties has historically been a source of contention. III. The stated objective of state management is to prevent mismanagement and ensure secular governance. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.I only
- B.II only
- C.I and II only
- D.I, II and III
Show Answer
Answer: D
All three statements accurately reflect the situation regarding Auqaf in Jammu and Kashmir. The state government manages Auqaf, its administration has been contentious, and the stated objective is to prevent mismanagement and ensure secular governance.
3. In the context of recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir, what is the primary concern raised by groups regarding the alleged police profiling of mosques?
- A.The potential for increased funding of mosques by foreign entities.
- B.The violation of fundamental rights and privacy of individuals associated with the mosques.
- C.The lack of transparency in the management of Auqaf properties.
- D.The potential for mosques to be used for anti-national activities.
Show Answer
Answer: B
The primary concern, as highlighted in the news summary, is the violation of fundamental rights and privacy due to the collection of sensitive personal information.
4. Assertion (A): Increased surveillance and security measures in Jammu and Kashmir have raised concerns about the potential infringement of civil liberties. Reason (R): The government argues that these measures are necessary to maintain law and order and prevent anti-national activities. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true, but R is false.
- D.A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: B
Both the assertion and the reason are true. Increased surveillance does raise concerns about civil liberties, and the government does justify these measures for security reasons. However, the reason is not a direct explanation of the assertion; they are two sides of the same issue.
Source Articles
Kashmir calm, but fear is palpable among the locals - The Hindu
Kashmir Demolitions Post Pahalgam Attack Raise Alarms Over Rights and Retaliation - Frontline
Modi appeals for calm in Valley - The Hindu
Kashmiris anxious over order to stock up LPG - The Hindu
Fear of terrorists has almost ended in Kashmir: L-G Manoj Sinha - The Hindu