FIR filed over ‘separatist content’; PDP leader Iltija Mufti's post under scanner

The case involves a post allegedly shared on X by Iltija along with an old video clip of Hurriyat leader late Syed Ali Shah Geelani speaking about the importance of Urdu.

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police have registered an FIR against PDP leader Iltija Mufti and others for allegedly circulating secessionist content on social media, with a post featuring Hurriyat leader late Syed Ali Shah Geelani coming under investigation, officials said on Thursday.

The case, registered as FIR No. 11/2026 at the Cyber Police Station, Srinagar, follows inputs about the dissemination of videos and other material allegedly promoting separatist ideology through digital platforms.

A police official said, “Acting upon credible inputs regarding the circulation and dissemination of content (videos) across digital and social media platforms promoting separatist ideology and propagating false information, with an intent to incite unlawful activities prejudicial to the peace, sovereignty, and integrity of India, the Srinagar police have registered a case against certain individuals in this matter.”

The FIR invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 152, 196 and 353, and also names unidentified persons for allegedly sharing and amplifying the content online.

The police said dissemination of such material amounted to a calculated attempt to promote separatist and divisive ideologies.

“Preliminary inquiry indicates that the circulation of such content is a deliberate attempt to propagate separatist and secessionist narratives through digital platforms. Such activities have the potential to incite public disaffection, disturb public order, and undermine national integration,” the official added.

According to sources, the case came to light after Mufti shared a post on social media platform X along with an old video clip of Geelani speaking about the importance of Urdu.

In the post, she wrote: “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.”

Officials said the video and its subsequent amplification by multiple users are part of the material being examined as part of the investigation. The probe will focus on establishing the origin, intent and extent of its circulation.

The development comes amid a continuing debate in Jammu and Kashmir over the role of Urdu in recruitment processes.

Traditionally central to revenue administration, the language has seen reduced prominence in some recent recruitment patterns conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board, including for posts such as Naib Tehsildar, prompting concern among sections of aspirants.

Urdu remains one of the official languages of the Union Territory, but shifts in examination formats — particularly the move towards objective-type testing — have periodically triggered criticism over the perceived dilution of its importance.

The police have urged citizens to refrain from creating, sharing or forwarding unlawful or sensitive content online, warning that strict legal action will be taken against violators. Officials said further investigation in the case is underway.