Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday criticized the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s decision to attach the Hyderpora residence of the late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. This house, also the headquarters of his outfit Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, is located in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Mufti labeled the action as “unfortunate and inhuman” during a press conference in Anantnag. She pointed out that Geelani’s 80-year-old widow continues to reside there. “Today is Gandhi Ji’s day,” she remarked, adding that, “He once saw a ray of light in Kashmir when all of Asia was burning. Now, this same Kashmir is perceived as criminal, with its people being branded as criminals, and their homes and businesses treated as such.”
The PDP president accused the government of criminalizing normal Kashmiris. “Geelani Sahib has left this world, but his widow still lives there. You might disagree with him, as we do with RSS ideology, but attaching his home is inhuman. The BJP protests across Bihar over an insult to ‘mother,’ yet here, even an 80-year-old widow faces such treatment,” she stated.
Mufti warned that the police’s actions would further alienate the people of Kashmir. “By attaching Geelani’s house, you aren’t narrowing distances but rather widening them. You’ve banned JEI schools, targeted madrasas, and now you attach homes. What have you made of Kashmir?” she questioned, highlighting the continuing tensions in the region.
She drew comparisons with other global conflicts, suggesting that even groups like Israel and Hamas engage in dialogue, while in Kashmir, the situation worsens. “In Kashmir—where people stood with you in 1947—you are criminalizing them. This is very bad,” she lamented.
On Wednesday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police announced that the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat headquarters had been attached under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Officials noted that the three-story building, built on one kanal and one marla of land, served as Geelani’s base for running his organization. The Union Home Ministry had banned Tehreek-e-Hurriyat in 2023, stating it was involved in “fomenting terrorism and spreading anti-India propaganda.” Geelani passed away in September 2022 and was buried near the same residence.
In her remarks, Mufti further criticized the ruling BJP, arguing that the party incites communal hatred to divert attention from its 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 grant them wisdom,” she said, reflecting on the state of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir.
