J&K police data drive on mosques, madrassas draws ire over privacy, religious freedom

The exercise also asks for the ideological or sectarian classification of mosques and madrassas, such as Barelvi, Deobandi, Hanafi or Ahle Hadith, and details of any past involvement of associated individuals in criminal or subversive activities. (Representative image)

• J&K Police collecting detailed data on mosques and madrassas faces criticism
• Leaders call the move intrusive and a rights violation.
• Officials: Data drive targets security issues post-terror module bust.

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A Jammu and Kashmir Police exercise to collect detailed information on mosques, madrassas and individuals associated with their management has reportedly drawn sharp criticism from political leaders and Muslim religious bodies, who have termed the move intrusive, intimidating and a violation of constitutional freedoms.

As reported by The Indian Express, police have begun circulating multi-page forms at the local level seeking granular details about mosques, including their physical structure, cost of construction, sources of funding, and monthly income and expenditure.

The forms also seek extensive personal information about imams, madrassa teachers and management committee members, including their financial status, Aadhaar and bank details, passport information, social media profiles, SIM card numbers and mobile phone IMEI details.

The exercise, states the report, also asks for the ideological or sectarian classification of mosques and madrassas, such as Barelvi, Deobandi, Hanafi or Ahle Hadith, and details of any past involvement of associated individuals in criminal or subversive activities.

While the Jammu and Kashmir Police have not officially acknowledged the exercise, officials cited by the paper said that the drive has been underway for some time. They said it is linked to investigations following the busting of a so-called “white-collar” terror module last year, in which security agencies claimed some suspects were radicalised through madrassas or online platforms.

The stated objective, according to officials, is to create a comprehensive database of religious institutions and personnel.

The move has triggered strong reactions from religious leaders.

The Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) described the exercise as an “unprecedented and invasive data-collection drive” that violates fundamental rights, including the right to privacy and freedom of religion.

“Mosques are sacred institutions meant for worship, guidance and community service. Their internal religious affairs cannot be subjected to arbitrary surveillance and intrusive scrutiny,” the MMU said in a statement. It added that “the nature and depth of information being sought goes far beyond any routine administrative requirement,” and urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the elected government to intervene and withdraw the exercise immediately. The MMU said the drive has caused “widespread anxiety among imams, khateebs and the public in general”.

Political leaders have also echoed similar concerns.

National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi said the exercise amounted to intimidation and an attempt to control religious spaces. “There are already multiple layers of surveillance. This profiling infringes on the constitutional right to practise religion,” he said, alleging that a right-wing ideological project was seeking to regulate sermons and religious discourse.

The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), led by Engineer Rashid, termed the move “policing faith”. Party spokesperson Inam un Nabi, as cited by the paper, stated, “This is neither governance nor security; it is intimidation. Treating religious institutions as security threats will only fuel resentment and erode public trust.”

Officials, however, have defended the rationale behind the exercise, citing security concerns.

They pointed to the November crackdown on an inter-state terror module involving radicalised professionals and students, which led to the seizure of nearly 2,900 kg of explosives and arrests across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The rise of puritanical interpretations of Islam and their alleged role in youth radicalisation, officials said, continues to be a key concern for security agencies.