With zero doubt in my mind, I must say that the sense of normalcy has seen a greater rise over the past few years. Life in Kashmir has returned to its routine, and the Valley is reclaiming its status as heaven on earth. While I, like every sensible citizen of this land, acknowledge this change, one question continues to gain ground in our hearts: how do you protect fragile normalcy in a place that has paid the price of unchecked radical influence before? This is not just a question, but a concern shared by the majority of Kashmiris who see themselves as protectors of this peace. The recent order being carried out across major parts of Kashmir regarding the profiling of madrassas and mosques needs to be viewed through a logical and rational lens. To cut through the misinformation and false claims surrounding this exercise, I tried to connect with some of my fellows to understand what they had to say about it. I would call this piece less of an article and more of a public reaction.

Israar Shahid, a Student Activist.

First of all, I should start with myself. I clearly remember it was around 2015 when a trend in Kashmir became very common. Unfortunately, it was not about fashion, vlogging, acting, or cinematography. It was about the young and sharp-minded lot of Kashmir joining terrorist groups. I have always said that most of them were misled, manipulated, and radicalized to such an extreme level that they could not understand what was happening around them. And by the time they did comprehend it, the Pakistani terror module ecosystem would threaten them. Coming to that trend, I vividly recall the news from those times. Very often, terrorists were reported to have a background linked to madrassas, and many times they were associated with groups of religious preachers who would move from village to village, mostly during winters. In Kashmir, they are commonly referred to as Allah Wale. There are different durations, some go for three days, some for forty. I have heard multiple times, after a terrorist was killed, that he had earlier gone with such a delegation for either three or forty days. While I should not deny that many terrorists also came from normal and regular educational institutions, it is equally true that some had religious backgrounds as well. The recent order to scrutinize these institutions will, at the very least, bring a degree of accountability. I believe any public institution must be regulated, observed, and governed under a proper system. Otherwise, it can become dangerous for society, especially in a place like Kashmir. In a region like Kashmir, where peace is still delicate, preventive oversight should not be confused with persecution. Regulation and transparency are basic tools of governance, not instruments of suspicion. If such measures help ensure that faith is never misused to derail peace again, they deserve to be understood rather than misrepresented.

Firdous Ahmad, an Entrepreneur

We should not be so blinded by faith that we fail to see what is rational and logical. Isn’t it true that in Pulwama, two Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists killed in an encounter were found sheltering inside a mosque and a madrassa? The madrassa was being run by a local imam who also taught children. Security officials accused him of supporting militants, and he was booked under the Public Safety Act. There are multiple examples where we have seen such incidents take place. I believe that religion is sometimes the weakest nerve to touch, and the fact is that we and Pakistan share the same religion. That is the only card Pakistan has been using against innocent Kashmiris to radicalize them. If there is an NGO, for instance, it has to undergo several procedures such as registration, office verification, Udyam portal registration, NOC from concerned departments, and much more. That is how an NGO functions within the system it is meant to serve. Otherwise, without accountability, one cannot even question its funding. So, if an NGO that may hardly receive twenty thousand rupees for social causes has to be this responsible and accountable, why should a madrassa or a mosque raise so many objections? Especially when some of their owners have built empires and own cars worth more than ten lakh rupees. Just keeping a long beard, wearing kurta-shalwar, and a Topi on the head does not make one a real Molvi. The Pakistani terror module has exploited every situation to radicalize Kashmiris at different levels, and these religious institutions have been among its key targets.

Syed Jahanzeeb, a Political Analyst

As I have been commenting on every political dynamic of J&K, I have observed how sharing a religious commonality has been a strong tool for the Pakistani terror ecosystem to make our children soft targets over the years. In my area alone, I can count almost ten Darul Ulooms within a radius of two kilometers. Leaving the religious sentiment aside for a minute and placing a hand on our hearts, isn’t it difficult nowadays to even run a family? How does a person manage a household and simultaneously run an institution with more than fifty children? Shouldn’t this raise questions in our minds about where the money comes from? Even leaving aside any link with terrorism, what if such institutions were involved in deforestation, drug trafficking, illegal mining, or other unlawful activities? Profiling them and keeping them under watch is absolutely within the framework of the legal landscape and should have been done long ago. We, as common Kashmiris, have a responsibility to preserve this peace by closing all gullible loopholes that can be exploited and used against the peace we have attained.

Syed Showkat, a Regular Columinist

Being a Muslim Kashmiri, I have seen how religion and sacred places were used to create a tense atmosphere in the Valley, which eventually led to something unbearable. The recent steps taken by the authorities regarding masjid profiling and detailing are not meant to hurt sentiments, but to curb radicalism and extremist preaching. Pulpits meant to spread positivity were turned into tools to manipulate common people, as we have seen in the past how a radical mindset was inspired from the pulpit.

Babar Magray, AI Tutor and Social Media Influencer

I have some personal anecdotes regarding this matter. I clearly remember that after the killing of Burhan Wani in 2016, Friday prayer sermons often revolved only around hartal calls, so-called azadi, terrorism, and related narratives. And yet, we pretend that this does not need to be taken into account or placed under scrutiny. We must understand that our religion teaches peace, but the radicalization of our youth through the misuse of religion, the playing of the religious card, and the professional Mullah-ism and Molvi-fication of Islam have always been dangerous for society at different levels. Everything that pertains to these structures, be it funding, networks, administration, books, or infrastructure, has to come under scrutiny in the larger interest of long-term peace.

Conclusion

For those who think this order harms our religious emotions, I would like to quote an example. When a doctor injects a syringe filled with an antibiotic, it hurts the patient. The patient may want it removed and may even resent the doctor for a moment. But the doctor understands the long-term effect and knows that the pain is necessary for healing. In the same manner, this step may be portrayed as an attack on religion and may pinch certain sycophants, but deep down we all know how beneficial it is going to be. This is not an assault on faith; it is an attempt to protect it from misuse. If such measures help ensure that religion remains a source of peace rather than a tool for exploitation, then this temporary discomfort is a price worth paying for a safer and more stable Kashmir.

Email:---------------------soulofkashmir1@gmail.com