Police Detain Muslim Women in Srinagar Over Quran Distribution Program IN IIOJK

Indian police detained three Muslim women in Srinagar for distributing copies of the Quran and hijabs ahead of Ramadan, sparking outrage and criticism from political leaders and activists.

In a recent incident in Srinagar, Indian police detained three Muslim women for distributing copies of the Quran and hijabs as part of a community initiative in the Rajbagh area. The women, who were part of a group of young Kashmiri volunteers, launched the program to provide these religious items to the public in the lead-up to the holy month of Ramadan.

The police intervened during the initiative, detaining three of the women involved. While they were questioned and investigated, they were eventually released, though the reasons behind their detention remain unclear. The incident has raised concerns about religious freedom and the treatment of Muslims in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Waheed Para, a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), strongly condemned the police’s actions. On social media, Para criticized the detention, stating that the Quran promotes principles of peace, justice, and a crime-free society. He urged the Srinagar police to refrain from taking any legal action against the women, emphasizing that their initiative was in the spirit of charity during Ramadan.

Social activist Dr. Raja Muzaffar Butt also condemned the arrest, calling it a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, which guarantees religious freedom. Butt noted that the Quran advocates for justice and a society free from crime, and the detention of these women contradicted these fundamental principles. He warned that such actions could heighten tensions in IIOJK and hinder efforts to achieve regional peace.