Srinagar: Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday said that the proposed changes made in the Waqf Amendment Bill are aimed to target Muslims and is an infringement with their faith.
Opposing the bill the President Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party Mehbooba Mufti while talking to reporters said that the proposed amendment in the Waqf bill is a conspiracy to target Muslims. “I don’t have any expectations from the BJP government,” she said. “From past couple of years, Muslims are being lynched, Mosques are being destroyed and graveyards are being seized,” she said.
PDP legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Para said that the Bill mirrors J&K Reorganisation Act, prioritising control over community rights. “Just like the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, which reorganised the state into union territories, the Waqf Bill seeks to centralise authority over community properties,” he said.
President Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and former minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen has strongly opposed the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, terming them as a direct assault on the religious rights of Muslims and an infringement upon their faith. He asserted that such amendments are unjustified and go against the secular ethos of the Indian Constitution. “India is a secular country, and the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens. Muslims from Jammu and Kashmir and across the country have made immense sacrifices for India’s independence, and the government must respect their rights and aspirations,” Yaseen said.
Minister Sakina Itoo while reacting to the Waqf Amendment Bill told reporters that, “NC will not support the new Waqf Bill that has been tabled in the parliament. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah already clarified it.”
Opposing the bill the President Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Conference Sajad Ghani Lone in post on “X” the blogging social networking site wrote “Waqf by definition is the custodian of properties which are collectively owned by Muslims. It is an Islamic concept.” He said the move by Parliament amounts to a direct assault on the religious autonomy of Muslims. “The proposed amendment by Parliament is a blatant interference in our faith aimed at divesting rightful custodians of their authority,” he asserted, calling it “yet another right-wing trespass.”
Talking to reporters President J&K BJP Sat Sharma said “Previously, there had been amendments in the Waqf Bill from time to time. However, this time there have been irregularities and there was mismanagement in maintaining the Waqf land. So in order to overcome the loopholes this bill has been introduced to bring the transparency.”
Strongly opposing the Wakf Amendment Bill 2025 the President J&K Apni Party Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said “The government claims that this amendment bill is intended to improve the administration of Waqf properties and ensure transparency. No one opposes measures for better management and transparency, but such legislation is not necessary. Improvement and transparency can be achieved without amending the existing Waqf Act.” He added, “Once the Waqf Amendment Bill is passed, Waqf boards will be required to register their properties with district collectors to ensure accurate valuation. Additionally, all members of the Waqf board will be appointed by the government. Clearly, once the bill becomes law, the community will lose control over Waqf boards, allowing the government to take over their administration—an outright interference in the religious affairs of the Muslim community.”
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, Darakhshan Andrabi, on Wednesday defended the Waqf Amendment Bill, asserting that it would contribute to the progress of the Muslim community. Talking to reporters in Srinagar, Andrabi dismissed concerns over the bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day, stating that it contained no provisions against Muslims. “I don’t see anything in the bill that is against Muslims. If the Waqf owns vast land resources, why do so many Muslims continue to struggle with poverty? Proper management and accountability of the Waqf Board will lead to the upliftment of our community,” she said. She further added that the bill appears to be aimed at the welfare of Muslims and reiterated that there is nothing in it that goes against the community’s interests.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in post on X also said, “As one watches the ruling party defend the indefensible Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, it is very unfortunate and disturbing that not even one of the serious concerns and reservations raised by Muslim organisations, including the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) which I lead, before the JPC in New Delhi, was addressed by them. Today, crores of Muslims in India, like mute spectators, are haplessly watching their rights and institutions being blatantly undermined and feel greatly let down.” (SIC)
