The controversy and criticism surrounding the data collection and profiling of mosques, masjids, their imams, muezzins, and other administrative representatives, including their families in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), appears to be much ado about nothing. Opposition political parties and religious and social entities have criticised this initiative as “intrusive" and “threatening", claiming it violates the fundamental right to religious freedom and privacy. However, the counterargument that these measures are necessary for security, accountability, and curbing the spread of anti-social radical ideology is compelling.

Though the first of its kind, this initiative is in the public interest, as it aims to enhance the overall efficiency of the socio-economic, administrative, and developmental framework that has defined the Union Territory (UT) in the last six years. A comparative analysis shows that the Centre and UT administration’s actions in J&K are neither new nor outlandish but rather a rational exercise. Critics should look at Saudi Arabia, which has one of the most centralised systems of mosque oversight in the Muslim world. The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance issues licenses for mosques, appoints and pays imams, muezzins, and khateebs, and monitors the content of sermons and other religious activities, preventing mosques from being........

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