SRINAGAR, Indian-administered Kashmir – A controversial proposal by the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board to mandate uniform Friday sermons across all mosques in the region has ignited a significant backlash from political and religious figures. Critics accuse the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of attempting to assert control over Muslim religious spaces and curb freedom of expression in the disputed territory.

The proposal, announced last weekend by the Waqf Board, which oversees Muslim religious endowments, has been slammed by Kashmir’s top Muslim scholars as “irresponsible interference into the religious affairs of Kashmiri Muslims.” The Waqf Board is headed by Darakshan Andrabi, a local leader associated with Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the same party that in 2019 stripped the region of its semi-autonomous status and divided it into federally governed territories.

Defending the initiative, Andrabi stated that a committee formed under the board’s authority would identify topics for the uniform sermons. She claimed this step is “necessary to deal with issues in the [region], especially social evils, including drug abuse,” and that religious scholars would approve the sermons, with no government officials involved in the final decision.

The implications of this move are seen by many as an extension of the central government's broader agenda to integrate Kashmir more firmly and potentially dilute its distinct cultural and religious identity. The imposition of uniform sermons could be interpreted as an attempt to standardize religious discourse and suppress dissenting voices within the Muslim community.

On Sunday, the Waqf Board convened a meeting with approximately 1500 religious scholars and preachers from Kashmir. While some attended in person, others from remote areas joined virtually. One scholar from the Rajouri district, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal, told Al Jazeera that Andrabi instructed that only a pre-approved sermon drafted by a committee of senior scholars would be recited. The composition of this committee was not disclosed.

According to the scholar, when objections were raised regarding adherence to Islamic teachings, their concerns were dismissed, and they were not allowed to speak. Andrabi reportedly declared the decision final, stating it had been in development for four years. This account highlights a perceived lack of consultation and a top-down approach that has alienated religious leaders.

This incident follows a series of administrative and political changes implemented by the Indian government in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019. These changes have aimed at increasing federal control and have been met with resistance and apprehension from various sections of the Kashmiri population who fear a erosion of their rights and unique identity.

Unresolved questions remain regarding the specific selection process for the sermon drafting committee, the exact content of the proposed uniform sermons, and the mechanisms for ensuring they align with diverse interpretations of Islamic teachings within Kashmir. The potential for further dissent and legal challenges looms as the situation develops.