In a significant and unprecedented move, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have initiated a large-scale data collection exercise targeting mosques across the Kashmir Valley. The operation involves distributing a comprehensive four-page form to gather extensive details about the places of worship, their administrators, and members associated with them.
Unprecedented Scope of the Data Collection Drive
The survey, which began recently, marks the first time police are seeking information on such a massive scale concerning religious institutions and their affiliates. According to information obtained, the form is divided into two main sections. One page is dedicated to the mosque itself, while the remaining three pages are reserved for collecting intricate personal and financial data of individuals linked to the mosque's operations.
The form demands specific information about the mosque's ideological sect, such as whether it is Barelvi, Hanafi, Deobandi, or Ahle-Hadith. It also requires physical details like the number of floors, construction cost, and the source of funds used for building the structure. Further inquiries include the monthly budget of the mosque, bank account details, management style, and the nature of the land (state, milkiyat, or shamilaat) on which it is built.
Granular Personal and Financial Details Sought
The depth of personal information required from individuals has raised eyebrows. The police are asking for complete family details of management committee members, the imam (prayer leader), muezzin (who gives the call to prayer), khateebs (Friday sermon deliverers), and members of the Bait-ul-Maal (charity wing).
Beyond standard details like date of birth, phone numbers, and educational qualifications, the form delves deeply into personal privacy. Individuals are asked to furnish passport details, including the number, date of issue and expiry, and a list of countries visited. They must also provide information on relatives living abroad.
The financial scrutiny is equally intense. The form seeks data on monthly earnings and expenditure, property ownership with estimated values, and details of all financial instruments. This includes bank account information, voter card, Aadhaar, driving licence, and ration card numbers. Notably, it also asks for specifics like ATM card numbers, credit card details, and PAN.
Digital Footprint and Security Checks
In a reflection of modern surveillance concerns, the exercise extends to digital lives. Authorities are collecting the IMEI numbers of mobile phones, the model of the handset, and details of social media handles and the apps used. WhatsApp numbers and email addresses are also part of the mandatory disclosure. While the form includes a section on past involvement in militancy or criminal activities, the broad nature of the data sought has become the primary focus of concern.
Unease and Allegations of Interference
The survey has triggered noticeable discomfort across the Valley. Many residents and religious figures perceive it as an overreach and a "direct interference in religious affairs." A member of a mosque management committee, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed deep apprehension.
"We are seeing this for the first time. People associated with religious places are being singled out and asked to put their private lives in the public domain," the member said. They argued that if the intent was credential verification, standard background checks would suffice. "But probing our religious beliefs, family details, and our monthly expenditure and credit card details goes too far," they added.
While the Jammu and Kashmir Police have not officially acknowledged or commented on the exercise, sources indicate the plan has been in preparation for some time. A police officer confirmed the distribution, stating, "We have been asked to fill these details and submit the forms." The move, dated around January 12, 2026, continues to unfold, placing a spotlight on the balance between security protocols and religious privacy in the region.
