<h1>Profiling of mosques and madrassas via detailed data collection creates comprehensive surveillance database, raising privacy and religious freedom concerns</h1> Authorities have commenced a profiling exercise of mosques, madrassas and their management by distributing proformas to village revenue officials to collect extensive personal, financial and identity data (including bank details, Aadhaar, passport, SIM/IMEI, property, social-media handles), sectarian affiliation, funding sources and any past or pending involvement in terrorist or subversive activity; this prescription effects creation of a comprehensive database for surveillance and investigative scrutiny of religious institutions and associated individuals. The exercise is being justified on grounds that a prior counter-terror investigation uncovered radicalisation linked to some madrassas and social media, and critics contend the operative effect is an infringement of constitutional protections for freedom of religion and privacy.