Waqf Bill faces backlash in Valley; BJP defends move
The introduction of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday has triggered criticism from political parties and Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in the Valley.
Former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti strongly opposed the bill, calling it an attempt to disempower Muslims. She urged the Hindu majority to take a stand against it. “If they (Hindu majority) don’t want our country to become like Myanmar or Muslims to face the same fate that Kashmiri Pandits say happened to them—for which we are still ashamed and taunted—then people of this country shouldn’t remain silent spectators,” she said.
Pulwama MLA and PDP leader Waheed Para likened the bill to the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019. “Just like the J&K Reorganisation Act, which reorganised the state into union territories, the Waqf Bill seeks to centralise authority over community properties,” he wrote on X.
Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called the ruling party’s defense of the bill in Parliament “unfortunate and disturbing.” He expressed disappointment that concerns raised by Muslim organisations, including the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), before the Joint Parliamentary Committee were ignored. “Today, crores of Muslims in India, like mute spectators, are haplessly watching their rights and institutions being blatantly undermined and feel greatly let down,” he said.
People’s Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone termed the bill “yet another right-wing trespass.” He asserted that Waqf properties are collectively owned by Muslims and the proposed amendment is a “blatant interference” in faith, aiming to strip rightful custodians of their authority.
The National Conference (NC) also opposed the bill. Senior NC leader and MLA Hasnain Masoodi said the proposed amendments were designed to weaken Muslim institutions. “NC MPs will vote against the amendments in Parliament. It is a clear violation of the rights of Muslims,” he stated.
However, BJP leaders defended the bill. J&K Waqf Board Chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi dismissed allegations that the legislation targeted Muslims. “It doesn’t seem like the bill presented in Parliament is against Muslims,” she said, adding that it would bring accountability. “The way the bill was presented, it appeared to be for the welfare of Muslims,” she added.
