Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti strongly condemned the Jammu and Kashmir Police for attaching the Hyderpora residence of the late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. This incident occurred on October 5, 2023, in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Geelani’s house, which also served as the headquarters for his organization Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, has become a focal point of controversy.
Mufti described the police’s decision as “unfortunate and inhuman.” She noted that Geelani’s 80-year-old widow continues to live in the house. While speaking to reporters in Anantnag, she reflected on the significance of the day: “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.”
The PDP chief accused the governing authorities of criminalizing ordinary Kashmiris. She emphasized, “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.” Mufti also drew attention to the BJP’s protests against perceived insults while neglecting cases like that of Geelani’s widow.
According to Mufti, such actions only exacerbate existing alienation among the people of Kashmir. She stated, “By attaching Geelani’s house, you are not reducing distances but widening them. You banned JEI schools, targeted madrasas, and now you attach homes. What have you made of Kashmir?”
On October 4, 2023, the J&K Police announced the attachment of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat headquarters under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Officials indicated that the three-story building, located on one kanal and one marla of land in Hyderpora, once facilitated Geelani’s administrative functions within the organization. The Union Home Ministry had previously banned Tehreek-e-Hurriyat in 2023 for promoting terrorism and anti-India sentiment.
Geelani, a prominent figure in Kashmiri separatism, passed away at the same residence in September 2022 and was buried nearby, making the house a symbol of conflict. Mufti criticized the ruling BJP for perpetuating communal hatred as a distraction from their failures. She remarked, “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.”
