Anger rippled across the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday as a police-led data collection exercise focusing on mosques, madrasas, and their religious functionaries drew swift objections from clerics, community leaders, and civil society groups, who described the move as intrusive and stigmatic. The exercise, initiated by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, involves the distribution of detailed forms through village numberdars seeking information about religious institutions and the people who run them.Residents said the questionnaires ask for granular details, including the personal particulars of imams and religious teachers, the composition of mosque and madrasa management committees, and the sources and uses of institutional funds. Caretakers of prayer spaces are also being asked to provide information on daily activities, attendance patterns, and any affiliations with religious bodies, prompting fears of profiling and surveillance in a region long sensitive to security measures intersecting with faith.
Local clerics reported that the forms were delivered over the past few days to village-level officials with instructions to complete and return them promptly. Several imams said they were not consulted beforehand and received no written explanation outlining the legal basis or purpose of the exercise. The absence of a public order or notification has fuelled suspicion, with critics questioning why religious institutions are being singled out for scrutiny not applied to other community bodies.
Political leaders across the Valley criticised the move, arguing that it risks deepening mistrust between citizens and the administration. They said places of worship and religious schools have traditionally functioned as community spaces and that treating them through a security lens could have unintended consequences. Some leaders warned that such measures could alienate moderate voices and complicate efforts to maintain social harmony.
Civil liberties advocates echoed those concerns, noting that the scope of information sought goes beyond routine administrative data. They pointed to questions on finances and personal backgrounds as particularly sensitive, arguing that any such collection should be transparent, proportionate, and grounded in law. Without clarity, they said, the exercise appears to cast a wide net that could chill legitimate religious activity.
Police officials, speaking informally, maintained that the data collection is part of a broader effort to update records and prevent misuse of religious platforms by unlawful elements. They argued that mapping institutions and their administrators helps authorities understand community structures and address issues ranging from unauthorised constructions to financial irregularities. However, they did not publicly outline safeguards for data protection or explain how the information would be used and stored.
The controversy has revived memories of earlier measures that sought to regulate sermons and monitor religious discourse, steps that were justified on security grounds but criticised for overreach. Analysts note that the Valley’s history means even administrative exercises can acquire political overtones, especially when they touch religious life. Trust, they say, depends on communication and consent, both of which appear lacking in this instance.
Community elders in several districts said they had advised numberdars to seek written instructions before sharing details. Some mosques have reportedly delayed submitting information until clarity is provided, while others have complied reluctantly to avoid friction with authorities. This uneven response reflects the dilemma faced by local institutions caught between cooperation and concern.
Legal experts said any profiling of individuals based on religious roles must meet constitutional standards of equality and privacy. They stressed that while the state has a duty to maintain public order, it must also respect fundamental rights and avoid measures that appear discriminatory. Transparent guidelines, judicial oversight, and avenues for grievance redressal would help address apprehensions, they added.