Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti condemned the Jammu and Kashmir Police for attaching the Hyderpora residence of the late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. This move, which took place on Thursday, also impacted the headquarters of Geelani’s outfit, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, located in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Mufti described the decision as “unfortunate and inhuman,” emphasizing that Geelani’s 80-year-old widow continues to reside in the house. Speaking to 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. Even employees are being sacked by labelling them anti-nationals.”
The PDP chief accused the government of criminalising ordinary Kashmiris. She 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 alienation felt by many in the region. She questioned the effectiveness of such policies, saying, “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?”
Drawing parallels with international conflicts, she further argued that while progress is made elsewhere, Kashmir faces an escalating tension. Mufti remarked, “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 Jammu and Kashmir Police invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to attach the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat headquarters. Officials reported that the three-story building, located on one kanal and one marla of land along Srinagar’s Airport Road, was previously used by Geelani to lead his outfit. The Union Home Ministry banned Tehreek-e-Hurriyat in 2023, citing its role in fomenting terrorism and spreading anti-India propaganda. Geelani passed away at this residence in September 2022 and was buried nearby, further emphasizing the emotional weight of this action.
In a pointed critique of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mufti asserted that communal tensions arise from a desire to distract from the government’s failures. She said, “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.” This sentiment resonates deeply with the locals, who feel increasingly disillusioned with the political climate in the region.
