Political parties condemn seizure of religious books in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 15: Political parties have condemned the seizure of books in Kashmir made by the police on Friday.

The Srinagar Police Friday said that they seized books during a search that followed reports that the literature of a banned organisation was being distributed in the city.

"Based on credible intelligence regarding the clandestine sale and distribution of literature promoting the ideology of a banned organization, Police conducted a search in Srinagar, leading to the seizure of 668 books,” said a spokesperson of Srinagar police on X.

The spokesperson said legal action has been initiated under section 126 of the BNSS. The move has evoked sharp political reaction. Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi condemned the move. In a post on X, he said, “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.  If that wasn’t enough, there are reports of police seizing literature by Maulana Maududi (RA).”

“Will the state now dictate what Kashmiris read, learn, and believe? This is an unacceptable overreach. If such an order exists, it must be revoked immediately.  The state must stop harassing Kashmiris and meddling in their religious affairs—because the cost of this reckless exercise will be heavy.”

People’s Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti also voiced her concern. “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 Kashmir & also participated in the recently held state elections,” she posted on X.