Srinagar: In a move that has raised concerns among people in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, all major shrines in Srinagar have been brought under CCTV surveillance.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, the decision, taken on the pretext of enhancing security, has been described by locals as an effort to increase scrutiny of religious sites in the occupied territory.

The installation of CCTV cameras across prominent shrines, frequented by thousands of devotees annually, has been justified as a step to ensure the safety of worshippers and protect sacred places. However, many view it as part of a broader agenda of the Modi-led Indian regime to monitor public gatherings and processions against India’s Hindutva policies and interference in religious matters.

The initiative, spearheaded by the BJP-controlled Waqf Board, is being implemented under the leadership of its Chairperson, Darakshan Andrabi.

Critics argue that the move reflects the BJP-RSS agenda in IIOJK, where Hindutva-driven policies have been met with widespread opposition. The increased surveillance of religious sites undermines the sanctity of these spaces and aims to suppress dissent under the guise of security.

The development comes amid growing concerns about the erosion of religious and cultural freedoms in the territory, as the installation of surveillance systems in shrines adds to the sense of unease among the local population.