A proposal by the Indian government to standardise Friday sermons across mosques in Kashmir has sparked a sharp backlash, with political and religious critics accusing the Modi administration of curbing the region’s freedom of religion and expression.
The plan would require all mosques to deliver a uniform sermon each Friday, a move that opponents say seeks to control religious discourse and limit the diversity of views that can be expressed in the region’s mosques.
Kashmiris and opposition leaders have condemned the proposal, arguing that it infringes on the autonomy of local religious communities and could be used to suppress dissenting voices.
While the government has not yet issued a detailed response, critics warn that such a policy could deepen mistrust between the state and the Muslim population in the disputed territory.
Kashmir, a region with a predominantly Muslim population, has long been a flashpoint for tensions between India and Pakistan, and its political status has been a source of controversy since India revoked its special autonomy in 2019.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
