Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti criticized Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday for attaching the Hyderpora residence of the late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. This action comes after authorities justified it under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The house, located in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, also served as the operational headquarters for Geelani’s outfit, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.
Mufti called the police’s move “unfortunate and inhuman.” She highlighted that Geelani’s 80-year-old widow still resides there, emphasizing the emotional toll this decision has on the family. Speaking to reporters in Anantnag, 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.”
In her remarks, she expressed concern about the ongoing criminalization of ordinary Kashmiris. She said, “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 officials that such governmental actions only deepen divisions within the community. “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 remarked, “Even Israel and Hamas are attempting dialogue, but in Kashmir—where people stood with you in 1947—you are criminalizing them. This is very bad.”
On Wednesday, J&K Police announced the attachment of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat headquarters as part of their efforts to combat terrorism. Officials confirmed that the three-story building on one kanal and one marla of land in Hyderpora was used by Geelani for organizing events for his outfit. Geelani passed away at this location in September 2022, and his burial site lies nearby.
Targeting the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mufti accused them of fostering communal hatred to distract from their governance failures. “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 added.
