Srinagar, 06 Sept: Jammu & Kashmir National Conference State Women’s Wing President Shameema Firdous Saturday expressed deep concern over the recent developments at the revered Asar-e-Sharief Dargah Hazratbal.
Firdous strongly condemned the actions of Waqf Chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi, accusing her of showing utter disregard and disrespect toward the sanctity of the shrine for political point-scoring. She said Andrabi’s conduct during the recent event at Hazratbal has not only hurt public sentiment but also exposed her real intentions.
“Andrabi’s actions have backfired, exposing her true political motives to the people,” Shamima said. She also criticized the iconography used on the inauguration plaque, calling it both legally questionable and deeply offensive to the sentiments of the people. “By creating chaos on such a sacred occasion, she has demonstrated complete disrespect for the sanctity of the day,” she added.
Firdous demanded that the Waqf Chairperson immediately issue a white paper outlining the management and appropriation of funds generated by Dargah Hazratbal and other Waqf properties across Jammu and Kashmir.
Drawing a historical contrast, she said that Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, who was instrumental in the reconstruction of the Hazratbal shrine, never used religious institutions for political mileage. She further praised the contributions of former Chief Ministers Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, under whose leadership several shrines and religious institutions across the Valley were renovated without politicizing the process.
Firdous also raised questions over the closure of several Waqf-run schools during Andrabi’s tenure, questioning the rationale behind such decisions.
Er. Sabiya Qadri, Provincial President of the Women’s Wing was also present at the press conference.