Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 2: Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti today criticised the Jammu and Kashmir Police for attaching the Hyderpora residence of late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, which also served as the headquarters of his outfit Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Speaking to reporters in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Mufti called the move “unfortunate and inhuman,” saying that Geelani’s 80-year-old widow continues to live in the house. “Today is Gandhi Ji’s day, when he said he saw a ray of light from Kashmir when the whole of Asia was burning. Today, that same Kashmir is seen as a criminal. The people of Kashmir are seen as criminals, their houses are seen as criminals, their businesses are seen as criminals, and employees are thrown out of jobs by being labelled anti-nationals,” she said. Click here to watch video
She accused the government of criminalising ordinary Kashmiris. “Humanity is also something. Geelani Sahib has left this world, but his 80-year-old widow lives there. You might have differences with Geelani Sahib, just like we had differences with the RSS ideology, but you made his house a criminal and attached it. The BJP shut down the whole of Bihar in the name of mother when someone said something wrong, but here you did not even spare an 80-year-old widow,” she said.
The PDP chief said such steps were widening alienation. “By attaching Geelani’s house, you are increasing distances, not reducing them. There is no room for reconciliation in the future. You attacked JEI schools, you banned madrasas, what have you made of Kashmir? You either destroy property or attach it,” she remarked.
Mufti also compared the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with global conflicts. “In Gaza, even Israel and Hamas are trying to solve the problem. But here in Jammu and Kashmir, which stood with you in 1947 against Pakistan, you criminalise the people, destroy their properties, and attach their houses. This is very bad,” she said.
On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Police said they had attached the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat headquarters under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Officials said the property comprised a three-story building built on one kanal and one marla of land in Hyderpora along Srinagar’s Airport Road. The outfit, banned by the Union Home Ministry in 2023 for “fomenting terrorism and spreading anti-India propaganda,” was once operated by Geelani from the same premises. The veteran separatist, who also led the Hurriyat Conference, died at his Hyderpora residence in September 2022 and was buried just a few meters away.
Targeting the BJP, Mufti said the ruling party was spreading communal hatred to divert attention from governance failures. “The UP chief minister openly threatens Muslims. What else will they do? They have no jobs to give, no good hospitals, and no good roads. If they do not divide Hindus and Muslims, on what issue will they ask for votes? What should I say about Yogi Ji or Bulldozer Baba? May God give them a little wisdom,” she said.
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