Srinagar: Politicians in Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday said that the proposed changes made in the Waqf Amendment Bill are aimed to target Muslims and is an infringement with their faith.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in post on X said, “As one watches the ruling party defend the indefensible Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, it is very unfortunate and disturbing that not even one of the serious concerns and reservations raised by Muslim organisations, including the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) which I lead, before the JPC in New Delhi, was addressed by them. Today, crores of Muslims in India, like mute spectators, are haplessly watching their rights and institutions being blatantly undermined and feel greatly let down.” (SIC)
PDP legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Para said that the Bill mirrors J&K Reorganisation Act, prioritising control over community rights. “Just like the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, which reorganised the state into union territories, the Waqf Bill seeks to centralise authority over community properties,” he said.
Peoples Conference chairman and MLA Handwara, Sajad Lone in a post on X said that the Waqf Bill is another right wing trespass.
“Waqf by definition is the custodian of properties which are collectively owned by Muslims. It is an Islamic concept. The proposed amendment by Parliament is a blatant interference in our faith aimed at divesting rightfully custodians of their authority. Yet another right wing trespass,” he said.
Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti while speaking with reporters said that the proposed amendment in the Waqf bill is a conspiracy to target Muslims. “I don’t have any expectations from the BJP government,” she said.
“From past couple of years, Muslims are being lynched, Mosques are being destroyed and graveyards are being seized,” she said.
In the meantime, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and former minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen has strongly opposed the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, terming them as a direct assault on the religious rights of Muslims and an infringement upon their faith.
He asserted that such amendments are unjustified and go against the secular ethos of the Indian Constitution.
“India is a secular country, and the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens. Muslims from Jammu and Kashmir and across the country have made immense sacrifices for India’s independence, and the government must respect their rights and aspirations,” Yaseen said.
Minister Sakina Itoo while reacting to the Waqf Amendment Bill told reporters that, “NC will not support the new Waqf Bill that has been tabled in the parliament. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah already clarified it.”
Jammu and Kashmir state president of BJP Sat Sharma while talking to reporters said, “Previously, there had been amendments in the Waqf Bill from time to time. However, this time there have been irregularities and there was a mismanagement in maintaining the Waqf land. So in order to overcome the loopholes this bill has been introduced to bring the transparency.”—(KNO)
