Allegations of Undemocratic Detention
By: Javid Amin | 18 September 2025
Political tensions in Jammu & Kashmir deepened on September 18, 2025, after former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone claimed they were placed under house arrest to prevent them from visiting Sopore.
The leaders said they intended to offer condolences on the passing of Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, the former Hurriyat chairman and a respected separatist intellectual.
Mehbooba Mufti took to social media, calling the administration’s move a reflection of the “harsh and undemocratic reality” in Jammu & Kashmir. Sajad Lone expressed disbelief that he was barred from paying respects to a “pacifist and long-retired” figure.
“A final goodbye is something we all deserved,” Lone wrote.
Omar Abdullah Responds: “No Storm Would’ve Followed”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sharply criticized the restrictions, saying the leaders’ visit would not have caused any disturbance.
“There was no storm that would’ve followed Mehbooba Ji and Sajad Sahib’s visit to Sopore. It was simply about paying condolences. The administration’s overreaction only deepens mistrust,” Omar said.
His remarks highlight the political divide on how the administration handles events tied to separatist figures, even after their passing.
Context: Hazratbal Controversy and Public Anger
The restrictions come in the wake of the Hazratbal Shrine controversy, where a plaque bearing the Ashoka emblem was vandalized earlier this month. The incident sparked protests and symbolic anger across the Valley.
Mehbooba Mufti linked the Sopore detentions to this climate of mistrust, saying:
“The Hazratbal incident reflects raw public anger. Instead of addressing the sentiment, the BJP-led government remains willfully blind to Kashmir’s emotional and political realities.”
A Broader Political Climate
These detentions fit into a wider trend in Kashmir’s governance post-2019:
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Frequent house arrests of opposition leaders on sensitive occasions.
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Suppression of political outreach linked to separatist history.
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Tight administrative control over gatherings, even when symbolic in nature.
Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, remembered for his philosophical and moderate voice within the separatist movement, was buried quietly at midnight under strict surveillance. That decision itself had drawn criticism from civil society.
The attempt to prevent political leaders from even visiting his family home further fuels debate about the limits of democratic space in Jammu & Kashmir.
Conclusion
The clash over Sopore is not just about a condolence visit. It reflects the shrinking room for political gestures in Kashmir, where even symbolic acts of respect are viewed through the prism of security.
Whether this strategy ensures stability or breeds deeper alienation is a question the administration will continue to face.
