Srinagar: JKPDP President and former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, has raised alarm over the dangerous trajectory of communal polarization sparked by a ‘controversial judgment’ delivered by a former Chief Justice of India.
Calling the judgment a ‘grave misstep’, Mufti accused it of reigniting wounds reminiscent of the partition era and pushing India further into a spiral of hatred and violence.
In a statement, Mufti blamed the judgment for enabling the targeted surveys of minority religious sites, including mosques and shrines like the iconic Ajmer Sharif, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling to maintain the 1947 status quo. The ripple effects of this decision have already surfaced, with the recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, being a chilling consequence of the communal tensions it has stoked.
Ms. Mufti also took to X to express her concern, stating:
“Thanks to a former Chief Justice of India, a Pandora’s box has been opened, sparking a contentious debate about minority religious places. Despite a Supreme Court ruling to maintain the status quo as it existed in 1947, his judgment has paved the way for surveys of these sites, potentially increasing tensions between Hindus and Muslims. The recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, is the direct result of this judgment. First mosques, and now Muslim shrines like Ajmer Sharif, are being targeted, which can result in further bloodshed. The question remains—who will take responsibility for perpetuating this communal violence reminiscent of the partition days?”
Mufti described the ongoing situation as a betrayal of India’s founding ideals. She said the India that Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Maulana Azad envisioned is being torn apart by hatred, fear, and division. “This isn’t about Hindus or Muslims. It’s about the very idea of India a land of diverse faiths and shared heritage being systematically dismantled,” she said.
The PDP leader emphasized the human cost of such communal violence. “It’s the daily wage laborer, the small shopkeeper, the farmer, and the homemaker who suffer the most when violence erupts. Children lose their innocence, families lose loved ones, and communities lose trust. What kind of legacy are we leaving for our future generations?”
Mufti also accused the ruling establishment of weaponizing religion for political gains. She pointed out that this judgment aligns conveniently with the government’s divisive agenda, as minority communities are systematically isolated and their faiths undermined. “The government claims to be the custodian of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,’ but its actions reek of hatred and bigotry. Is this the ‘New India’ they promised?”
Urging people to rise above the hate-mongering, Ms. Mufti appealed to political leaders across the board to show courage and humanity. “We cannot let politics dictate our humanity. Today, it’s Muslim shrines. Tomorrow, it could be any minority community. The flames of communalism don’t discriminate once they’re lit.”
Ms.Mufti in strong words retreated “India’s strength lies in its unity and diversity. Destroying this delicate fabric for political expediency will only lead to chaos. I urge the judiciary to reflect on its constitutional duty, and I call on the people of this country to reject hatred and choose harmony over division.”
