Mehbooba Mufti Urges NC-Led Alliance to Pass Resolution Rejecting Waqf Amendments
Srinagar, April 9: As the Budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly draws to a close, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has issued a fervent appeal to the ruling alliance led by the National Conference, urging them to pass a resolution that unequivocally rejects the recent amendments made to the Waqf Act by Parliament.
In a strongly worded post on social media platform X, Mehbooba emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, “With today possibly marking the end of this assembly session, the ruling alliance should prioritise passing a resolution to reject this bill rather than prolonging the political spectacle.” Her remarks come amid widespread discontent in the Muslim community over what many see as unilateral changes made to religious endowment laws without adequate consultation with stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir.
The former Chief Minister also took a swipe at the recent interaction between Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju at the iconic Tulip Garden in Srinagar. She interpreted the meeting as a symbolic gesture aimed at conveying to the country’s Muslim population—numbering approximately 24 crore—that their concerns are being ignored at the highest levels.
“After bulldozing the Waqf Amendment Bill through Parliament, Minister Kiren Rijiju strategically chose to visit Kashmir. He was given a red carpet welcome by the Chief Minister of India’s only Muslim-majority state — a move that seemed designed and deliberate to signal to the 24 crore Muslims across India that their views hold little weight when the leader of the country’s only Muslim-majority region stands in support,” Mehbooba wrote.
She further added that the event, set against the backdrop of Asia’s largest tulip garden, appeared to be a public celebration of the marginalisation and disempowerment of the Muslim community. “It felt like a display of triumph over the concerns of an entire community,” she remarked.
Mehbooba criticised Omar Abdullah’s response to the controversy, saying his actions have only widened the divide between the government and the people. “The Chief Minister’s actions not only deepened the sense of alienation and helplessness within the Muslim community but also lent legitimacy to this unilateral decision that is widely perceived as dismissive of their interests,” she asserted.
Meanwhile, the National Conference has dismissed Mehbooba’s comments, accusing the opposition of “fishing in the desert” and turning a routine interaction into a political controversy. However, Mehbooba maintains that symbolic gestures, particularly during politically sensitive times, carry immense weight and should reflect the sentiments of the people rather than undermine them.
