The registration of an FIR against sitting Lok Sabha member and dissident National Conference leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, along with former Mayor of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation Junaid Azim Mattu, has triggered a political debate in Jammu and Kashmir.
Although Chief Minister Omar Abdullah refused to comment on the FIRs against the individuals, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti termed the action “unwarranted.” Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also condemned the police action against those protesting the attack on Iran.
Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said the cases registered against ruling National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu were “egregiously unwarranted” and should be withdrawn immediately.
She was reacting to Jammu and Kashmir Police registering cases against Mehdi and Mattu on Tuesday for allegedly circulating “false, fabricated and misleading content” on digital and social media platforms.
“The FIR against Aga Ruhullah and Junaid Azim Mattu is egregiously unwarranted and unjust. It must be withdrawn immediately,” the former Chief Minister said in a post on X.
“Just because the Government of India and the National Conference government in Jammu and Kashmir have chosen to remain silent on the blatant aggression by the US and Israel against Iran and the martyrdom of its Supreme Leader does not mean that those who speak out are offenders to be booked under the law,” the PDP president said, referring to the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
PDP leader and MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi called for the immediate release of detained youths and the withdrawal of FIRs registered against mourners. He raised the issue during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to review the overall situation in the Union Territory.
The meeting was convened in the wake of the reported martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader and focused on assessing the law and order situation across Jammu and Kashmir.
Just because GOI & NC government in Jammu & Kashmir have chosen to remain silent on the blatant aggression by US and Israel against Iran and the martyrdom of its Supreme Leader doesn’t mean that those who speak out are offenders to be booked under the law.
The FIR against Aga…
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) March 4, 2026
During the deliberations, Aga Muntazir, who also represented the Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian, presented a detailed report on the congregational programmes being organised across the region. He stated that the mourning processions and gatherings were religious in nature and urged the administration to adopt a humanitarian approach in dealing with participants.
Emphasising the need to maintain communal harmony and public trust, the MLA demanded the immediate release of detained youths and the withdrawal of charges and FIRs filed against mourners. He said such measures would help ease tensions and ensure the peaceful observance of religious programmes across the Union Territory.
Mirwaiz calls for respect for free expression
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called on authorities to release protesters and mourners detained during demonstrations across Jammu and Kashmir and urged a reassessment of restrictions on freedom of expression.
From the Valley of Kashmir to Pir Panjal and Jammu, the unity in grief and condemnation over the events in Iran shown by the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir, as one Ummah, is commendable. It reflects the living moral conscience of our society, standing firmly against oppression and…
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) March 4, 2026
In a post on X, Mirwaiz praised the unity of Muslims in the region — from the Kashmir Valley to Pir Panjal and Jammu — who expressed grief and condemnation over recent developments in Iran. He described the widespread shutdown as a peaceful yet powerful demonstration of solidarity with the oppressed.
Mirwaiz expressed concern over reports that women, minors, and other participants were detained during the protests, calling such actions “unfortunate and unwarranted.” He also highlighted concerns over FIRs filed against participants and the suspension of accounts of local media outlets by social media platforms, including Facebook, for covering the events.
The religious leader urged authorities to respect the right to peaceful protest and expression of sentiments and to reconsider policies that impose censorship or penalise freedom of speech.
CM trying to justify unjustified action: Ruhullah
Attacking Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for convening a civil society meeting in Srinagar, National Conference Lok Sabha member Aga Ruhullah said there was no reason to hold such a meeting.
“When and how was communal harmony disturbed by the mourners, which forced the assembly of this ‘group’ to call for communal harmony?” Ruhullah asked, referring to the civil society meeting.
When and how was the communal harmony disturbed by the mourners which forced the assembly of this “group” to call for communal harmony. What message is he trying to send? Whose point is he asserting and advocating? Is he trying to become an instrument of the establishment to… https://t.co/qz1wYJuOzT
— Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (@RuhullahMehdi) March 4, 2026
“What message is he trying to send? Whose point is he asserting and advocating? Is he trying to become an instrument of the establishment to justify its unjustifiable actions?” he further asked.
“The only call that he and this ‘group’ should have made was to demand the immediate release of our youth and the unconditional withdrawal of FIRs against them. It took a question from a journalist to get a half-hearted mention of the FIRs and detentions of our youth. He could not ask for their release extemporaneously in his opening remarks. Who does he represent? I thought we elected a representative who would stand for us against all odds,” Ruhullah said.
FIR registered against Mehdi, Mattu on Tuesday
Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday registered cases against Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Junaid Azim Mattu for allegedly spreading distorted narratives through digital platforms to cause public unrest and societal disharmony, according to an official statement.
The statement said that acting on credible inputs about the circulation of “false, fabricated and misleading content” on digital and social media platforms — allegedly with the intent to create fear, disturb public order, and incite unlawful activities — cases were registered against Mehdi and former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu.
“The content in question, prima facie, reflects the dissemination of distorted narratives and unverified information capable of causing public unrest and societal disharmony. Such deliberate attempts to spread misinformation pose a serious threat to peace, security, and overall stability,” the statement said.
The cases have been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations have been initiated.
The statement reiterated Srinagar Police’s firm commitment to maintaining public peace and law and order and advised citizens to verify information through official and credible sources before sharing content online. It urged people to refrain from circulating unverified material that may disturb communal harmony or public order.
“Further legal action shall follow as warranted under the law,” the statement added.
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