Kashmiri politicians condemn book seizure in IIOJK, call it an attack on religious freedom
Srinagar: Kashmiri political leaders have strongly condemned the recent seizure of hundreds of books linked to Jamaat-e-Islami by Indian police in Srinagar, calling it a direct assault on religious freedom in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Indian police, during a raid in Srinagar, confiscated over 650 books written by renowned Islamic scholar and Jamaat-e-Islami founder, Abul A’la Maududi, as well as the iconic pro-freedom leader, Syed Ali Gilani. The police claimed the move was aimed at preventing the “secret sale and distribution” of literature linked to banned organizations. It is worth noting that Jamaat-e-Islami, along with several other pro-freedom organizations, remains banned in IIOJK. The book seizures, restrictions on mosques, and banning of organization underscore BJP-led Indian government’s growing attempts to suppress political dissent and erase religious institutions in IIOJK.
Senior National Conference leader and Indian parliamentarian, Ruhullah Mehdi, took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the raid, warning that interference in Kashmiri Muslims’ religious affairs had crossed a red line. He added, “This is blatant state oppression and intolerance. Will the state now dictate what Kashmiris read, learn, and believe? This is an unacceptable overreach.”
He demanded an immediate revocation of any order related to the book seizures. Ruhullah also condemned the sealing of Jamia Masjid on Shab-e-Barat, calling it an unjustified restriction on religious freedom.
Similarly, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti linked the raid to a recent so-called security review meeting in New Delhi, asserting that under the pretext of “security,” oppressive measures were being unleashed on the Kashmiris.
“Now even the freedom to read and consume information is being violated,” she said.
Iltija also pointed out that the occupation authorities were targeting Jamaat-e-Islami, a religious organization that she said had engaged in social work and participated in the recent elections.
