Mehbooba says FIR lodged against locals who attended banned Jamaat leader’s funeral in Kashmir

Former J&K Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) accused the J&K Police of “lodging a First Information Report (FIR) against mourners who attended the funeral of banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) member and scholar Ghulam Hassan, who passed away on May 17 in south Kashmir’s Kulgam.  

“A highly respected Islamic scholar and former Jamaat-e-Islami chief, thousands attended his funeral. It is unfortunate that mourners have been slapped with FIRs merely for expressing grief and emotions. I request (J&K CHief Minister) Omar Abdullah and (Lieutenant Governor) Manoj Sinha to stop this witch hunt,” said Ms. Mufti. 

Her statement came hours after she visited the family of deceased Hassan in south Kashmir. She expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and prayed “that the departed soul attains the highest place in Jannat (heaven)”.

J&K Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said if the lodging of an FIR against individuals who spoke at the condolence gathering held for noted Islamic scholar and former Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami true, “it is deeply regrettable”. “I strongly believe that these actions are unjustified, send a disturbing message, and dishearten the people,” said Mr. Bukhari.

According to locals, the funeral of the Jamaat leader was peaceful. However, several elders made speeches to recall the contribution of the deceased and the banned JeI during the funeral held on May 18. Local sources said the funeral witnessed pro-Jamaat slogans.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned the JeI in 2019 for being an “illegal association” under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for a period of five years. The ban was extended this year in February, 2024 till 2029.