Recent suspension of Hazratbal shrine staff members not a Welcome Move: Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar : President J&K Apni Party Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday strongly voiced his concern over the recent action taken by the Waqf Board authorities, which suspended several officers and staff members of Hazratbal Dargah, alleging negligence in their duties. It may be mentioned here that on the eve of Eid-ul-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), the Chairperson of the J&K Waqf Board, Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, suspended these officers and staff members, citing “grave negligence in their duties.”
Bukhari said that the decision to suspend the employees is not a welcome move, Saying “If any negligence has been observed at the shrine, those in leadership positions should be held responsible, not the underprivileged employees. The leaders at the top should acknowledge their role in any mismanagement at the holy shrine and should not make the poor employees scapegoats for their inability to manage the Waqf.”
Apni Party leader made these remarks while talking to reporters following his visit to the Asar-e-Sharif Hazratbal, where he offered Friday prayers.
In a pointed reference to the PDP, which held power when the Waqf Board was brought under direct government control, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari observed, “It has now become evident that the decision to subject the Waqf Board to government control was a grave mistake.”
“The Waqf should have remained an independent institution under the administration of local Muslims who possess the necessary expertise to manage such institutions. Government interference in its affairs was unwarranted,” he added.