Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Iltija Mufti Condemn Seizure of Books in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Feb 14 – Kashmiri political leaders Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Iltija Mufti have strongly condemned the recent police seizure of 668 books in Srinagar, calling it an assault on religious freedom and an overreach by the state.

Ruhullah Mehdi, a Member of Parliament from Kashmir, denounced the crackdown, saying, “Interference in the religious affairs of Kashmiri Muslims is crossing a red line—it is blatant state oppression and intolerance.” Mehdi’s statement, posted on social media, condemned the sealing of the Jama Masjid on Shab-e-Barat and the reported confiscation of books authored by Abul Ala Maududi, a noted Islamic scholar and founder of Jamaat-e-Islami.

“Will the state now dictate what Kashmiris read, learn, and believe? This is an unacceptable overreach,” the statement added, demanding the immediate revocation of any order related to the book seizures.

Interference in the religious affairs of Kashmiri Muslims is crossing a red line—it is blatant state oppression and intolerance. First the Shab-e-Barat prayers at Jama Masjid were barred and the masjid itself was sealed. 🧵 (1/3)

— Office of Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (@Office_ASRM) February 14, 2025

Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, also criticized the raids, linking them to a recent security review meeting in New Delhi. “Under the garb of ‘security,’ all sorts of Kafkaesque oppressive measures are being unleashed on Kashmiris. Now even the freedom to read and consume information is being violated,” she said.

Days after a security review meeting in Delhi vicious raids were conducted throughout book stores in Srinagar. Under the garb of ‘security’ all sorts of Kafkaesque oppressive measures are being unleashed on Kashmiris. Now even the freedom to read & consume information is being… https://t.co/hD4jHVdDEI

— Iltija Mufti (@IltijaMufti_) February 14, 2025

In a follow-up post, Iltija pointed out that all the seized books were authored by Maududi and accused authorities of targeting Jamaat-e-Islami, a religious organization that she said had engaged in social work and participated in the recent elections.

The elephant in the room vis-a-vis these books raids is that all of the 600 books seized have been authored by Abul Aala Maududi a renowned Islamic scholar & more importantly the founder of Jamaat – -e – Islami. A religious organisation that has done commendable social work in…

— Iltija Mufti (@IltijaMufti_) February 14, 2025

As previously reported by The Chenab Times, police in Srinagar seized the books following intelligence reports of their alleged promotion of a banned ideology. A publishing house in Srinagar’s Maisuma area was raided, and legal action was initiated under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS).

The seizure has sparked a wider debate on religious freedom and state control in the region, with opposition leaders warning of serious consequences if such actions continue.

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