Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday condemned the Jammu and Kashmir Police for attaching the Hyderpora residence of late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. This property also served as the headquarters of his organization, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, located in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Mufti characterized the police’s move as “unfortunate and inhuman,” highlighting that Geelani’s 80-year-old widow continues to reside in the house. 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. Even employees are being sacked by labelling them anti-nationals.”
The PDP chief accused the government of criminalizing ordinary Kashmiris. She remarked, “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.”
Furthermore, Mufti warned that such actions only exacerbate the growing alienation in the region. She articulated, “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?”
Mufti drew alarming parallels with global crises, stating, “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, the J&K Police revealed that they had attached the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat headquarters under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Officials mentioned that the three-story building, situated on one kanal and one marla of land in Hyderpora, was previously utilized by Geelani to manage his organization. In 2023, the Union Home Ministry banned Tehreek-e-Hurriyat for “fomenting terrorism and spreading anti-India propaganda.” Geelani, who led the Hurriyat Conference, passed away at his residence in September 2022, with his burial occurring nearby.
Targeting the BJP, Mufti alleged that the ruling party breeds communal hatred to mask its failures. She noted, “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.”
