Govt cracks whip on anti-India activity

Mosques in Valley calm down after questioning of pro-Pakistan clerics

Politically charged sermons and sloganeering in Kashmir mosques are at an ebb as the state government has cracked the whip on clerics and caretakers of mosques which have become the centre of protests in the past two and a half months.
At several places, clerics were found to be delivering politically charged sermons during the Friday congregational prayers, triggering protests and clashes with security forces personnel.
Mosque microphones were being used by persons throughout Kashmir to play ‘taranas’ (pro-Pakistan slogans) to maintain the tempo of protests sparked by the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.
As the intensity of stone-throwing went down after Eid on September 13, politically motivated Friday sermons and sloganeering in mosques had put the biggest challenge before the state government to maintain law and order in the Kashmir valley.
After the state government started profiling of clerics and caretakers of mosques used for anti-state activities in the first week of September, mosques had become calm at most places.
At a mosque in Srinagar, a cleric who used to deliver politically charged sermons was found teaching Arabic grammar during congregational prayers last Friday.
Mosques which had been resonating with pro-Pakistan sloganeering in Srinagar and some towns had become silent after the police brought clerics for questioning.
“The intensity of sloganeering in Baramulla mosques has gone down drastically in the past one week. We can now hear sloganeering in just a mosque or two,” said Mushtaq Sofi of Baramulla.
The state government had started profiling of all clerics, caretakers and committees of mosques in Kashmir with special emphasis on those mosques where ‘taranas’ were being played to arouse anti-India passions.
To avoid police-public face-offs, the state government had handed over the task of profiling to the civil administration in various districts.
“Clerics at several places have been inciting residents to protest. We have profiled them and brought many to police stations for questioning. This has helped us bring peace to the Valley to a great extent,” said a Home Department official. He said the clergy would be profiled and put under surveillance in order to avoid any activity which could whip up passions. He said ‘taranas’ played in mosques had added fuel to the protests. “We have been successful in putting an end to it by arresting the youth involved in it and sounding mosque committees,” he said.