Srinagar Police has registered an FIR against Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, for hosting pro-separatist content on social media. Some other individuals have also been booked on similar charges for amplifying the content, considered seditious by the Jammu Kashmir Police.
The individuals were allegedly involved in circulating secessionist propaganda and separatist content across digital and social media platforms. This content was aimed at inciting unlawful activities prejudicial to the peace, sovereignty and integrity of India, according to officials.
Police sources said that credible inputs were received regarding dissemination of videos and other material promoting separatist ideology and spreading false information through online platforms. Acting on the inputs, a case was registered at Cyber Police Station Srinagar.
Police said preliminary enquiry suggested that the circulation of such content was a deliberate attempt to propagate separatist and secessionist narratives through digital platforms. Such activities, police said, had the potential to incite public disaffection, disturb public order and undermine national integration.
They said prima facie offences punishable under Sections 152, 196(1) and 353(1)(b), (c) and (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita were made out. Accordingly, FIR No. 11/2026 has been registered at Cyber Police Station Srinagar and investigation has been taken up.
Police also advised the public to refrain from creating, sharing or circulating unlawful content on social media and digital platforms, warning that anyone found involved in such activities would be dealt with strictly in accordance with law.
Sources said that the case was registered after a video shared on X by Iltija Mufti featuring Syed Ali Shah Geelani came to the notice of authorities. They said the FIR has also named unidentified persons for allegedly sharing and amplifying the content online. Incidentally, late Geelani was pro-Pakistan in his leanings and chief of hardline faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC).
Iltija Mufti has posted an old video of late Geelani saying something about Urdu. She writes in her X post: May not concur with Geelani Sahab’s ideology but this old video of him stressing on the importance of Urdu very well makes sense in addition to other reasons. Worth a watch.
The context of her post on X is that recently, the UT government has given exemption from Urdu in some examinations for selections to certain jobs. Before August 2019, Urdu was the official language of the then state and knowing it was a must for any aspirant. However, there Dogri, Hindi and Kashmiri languages have been added to the new list of official languages.
Due to this change, people know any of the other official lanaguages can also apply for jobs in the UT administration. The recent controversy regarding Urdu as a compulsory language has arisen from the fact that it is no longer mandatory even in the Revenue Department. The argument of those in favour of Urdu as a mandatory requirement is that most of the revenue records and their interpretation need the knowledge of this language.
Those opposed to imposition of Urdu argue that trying to put the clock back to pre-2019 August days is not possible now. Instead of Urdu being the only language, there are other languages which will also flourish now. Earlier, the imposition of Urdu stymied their growth and the well being of those who did not choose Urdu as a subject or medium of instruction.
It may be mentioned here that Iltija had contested the assembly elections in 2024 from Bijebehera in Anantnag, once considered a stronghold of her grandfather late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his loyalists. However, she lost to her National Conference (NC) rival.
