All political parties of J&K, except the BJP, opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, saying that the Bill is intended to disempower Muslims and only target one religion.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the Bill is not acceptable to his party.
“Only one religion is being targeted. Every religion has its institutions, and every religion has a charitable wing. For Muslims, it is the Waqf,” said the Chief Minister.
Omar Abdullah said that targeting the Waqf is very unfortunate, adding that it is up to Parliament now to stop amendments in the Bill.
“NC cannot support this Bill. Our MPs will strongly oppose it,” said the Chief Minister.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also opposed the bill, saying that she has no hope from the BJP given the treatment meted out to Muslims in the country.
“I don’t have any hope from the BJP. We have seen how Muslims are being lynched and mosques demolished in the last 11 years,” she said.
The former Chief Minister added that the Bill is intended to disempower Muslims, adding that she hoped that the Hindu brethren would step forward to stop it.
“India is a nation of Gandhi, and it should be run as per the Constitution. The secular forces should intervene to prevent the country from becoming another Myanmar. If people decide to remain as mute spectators, then nobody can stop the chaos in the country,” said the former Chief Minister.
People’s Conference chairman, Sajad Gani Lone, also opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it blatant interference in the religious affairs of Muslims.
“The proposed amendment by Parliament is a blatant interference in our faith aimed at divesting the rightful custodians of their authority. This is yet another rightwing trespassing,” the People’s Conference chairman wrote on X.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Darakhshan Andrabi welcomed the amendments, saying they would be beneficial for the poor from the community.
“How does Waqf have so many properties, but still, Muslim brothers are poor? Waqf has thousands of kanals of land, but despite that, a majority of Muslims are homeless and landless. The Prime Minister is thinking about these issues so that the Muslim community does not remain poor and gets all facilities,” she said.
Darakhshan Andrabi heads the J&K Waqf Board.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju.
As per the government, the Bill is aimed at improving the functioning and ensuring transparency and technology-driven management of Waqf properties in the country.
Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha have called the Bill “unconstitutional” and against the “interest” of the Muslim community.
 Bill){kind=link}
‘Pahalgam incident deeply disturbing & tragic’: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday termed the Pahalgam terror attack as disturbing & tragic and also condoled the victims and their families.
Congress finally deletes 'Gayab' post targeting PM Modi after outrage
Under fire from the BJP over its social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress finally, on Tuesday, took down the controversial post.
Guterres calls EAM Jaishankar, Pak PM Sharif; stresses pursuing justice in Pahalgam terror attack
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of pursuing justice in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while speaking with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.
Congress organises ‘Save Constitution’ rallies across NE states
The opposition Congress has been organising ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (Save Constitution) campaign in the northeastern states. Claiming that the Constitution is in danger under the BJP-led Central government, the opposition Congress held a massive rally in Agartala on Tuesday.
RSS chief Bhagwat meets PM Modi after security huddle: Signs of a hard-hitting response in the works
In a significant political development, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday evening.
What PM Modi's free hand to armed forces against terror means for cross-border action?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unambiguous message during a high-level security meeting - ‘India is determined to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism’ - marks more than just a strong statement of resolve.
Justice BR Gavai appointed as next Chief Justice of India
Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 29, 2019. Appointed as Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, he became a permanent Judge in November 2005.
Three more Bangladeshi nationals held in Tripura
The Tripura Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, for illegally entering India, officials said.