Kishtwar DM’s Ramzan donation order sparks uproar in J&K Assembly
Under the directive, no individual, NGO, trust, society, or committee can collect donations within Kishtwar district without valid registration
A fresh controversy erupted after Kishtwar District Magistrate Pankaj Sharma issued an order regulating the collection of donations during the holy month of Ramzan. The matter was raised in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, with several MLAs demanding that the order be withdrawn.
In the directive, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the District Magistrate said it had been observed that during Ramzan “there is a tendency for unregulated and unauthorised collection of donations by certain individuals and organisations, which necessitates immediate regulatory intervention.”
The order stated that while the traditions of Zakat and Sadaqah are integral to the religious and social fabric of Ramzan, any act of misrepresentation or fraudulent solicitation of funds undermines the sanctity of the holy month and exploits public goodwill.
Under the directive, no individual, NGO, trust, society, or committee can collect donations within Kishtwar district without valid registration under relevant laws, including the J&K Societies Registration Act and Trust Act. Fundraisers must also provide prior written intimation to the Executive Officer of the Waqf Board Kishtwar, the Imam of Jamia Masjid, or the concerned Tehsildar.
The order further mandates that all fundraising entities maintain transparent records of collections and expenditures. Individuals found soliciting donations without authentic identification, registration documents, and an official receipt book will be deemed unauthorised. A helpline number has also been set up for residents to report instances of alleged fraudulent solicitation or harassment.
The move drew sharp criticism from opposition legislators. Congress MLA Nizam Uddin Bhat termed the order “unconstitutional and provocative,” arguing that charitable giving during Ramzan is a longstanding religious practice.
“How can there be administrative scrutiny of religious donations? I request the Chief Minister to examine and withdraw this order,” Bhat said in the Assembly. Congress MLA Ghulam Ahmad Mir also supported the demand for revocation.
MLAs from the PDP and the National Conference also criticised the directive and called for its rollback.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said the elected government would take a considered decision after reviewing the order. “This is the government of the people and we will go by the wishes of the people. We will not allow ‘babu raj’. I will read the full order and respond in detail,” he told reporters outside the Assembly.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, however, welcomed the directive, stating that complaints had previously been received about individuals allegedly collecting donations for unlawful activities. “The District Magistrate has only asked for proper verification for the collection of donations,” he said.
Interestingly, Imam of Jamia Masjid Kishtwar, Farooq Ahmed Kichloo, also supported the move. Speaking to the media, he said that people from outside the district often collect money in the name of charity during Ramzan. “There is a need for verification for all those who seek donations during the holy month,” he said.
