“While it has been customary for senior Government functionaries to provide rehabilitation and compensation to the families of victims, this time, it was the Chairperson of the Waqf Board, and not the Government, who stepped forward.”
In the realm of public service, it is often said that actions speak louder than words. Over the past three years, the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, under the leadership of Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, has exemplified this belief through a series of bold and impactful decisions that have significantly elevated the Board’s standing among the people of the region. Her leadership is now being viewed not only as administrative but transformational—resonating particularly through her recent humanitarian and employee-friendly initiatives. One of the most commendable actions came in the aftermath of the tragic April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians lost their lives. While it has been customary for senior Government functionaries to provide rehabilitation and compensation to the families of victims, this time, it was the Chairperson of the Waqf Board, and not the Government, who stepped forward. Dr. Andrabi personally handed over an appointment letter to the brother of Syed Adil Hussain, a young man martyred in the attack, on compassionate grounds. This gesture, while seemingly administrative, was deeply symbolic—it reflected empathy, resolve, and a commitment to social justice, coming from an institution that traditionally remained confined to religious affairs and property management. This was not a solitary act of leadership. Just weeks before Eid-ul-Fitr, another popular decision by Dr. Andrabi stood in stark contrast to the apathy of the mainstream Government. She not only ensured timely disbursal of wages to the Waqf Board’s daily wagers but also approved a much-needed wage hike for them. Meanwhile, daily wagers in various Government departments continued to await justice, with debates in the assembly yielding no tangible outcome.
As facts speak themselves the resurgence in the popularity of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board is not a matter of optics—it is rooted in action. Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi’s commitment to meaningful change, justice for victims, and welfare for employees has turned the Board into a beacon of responsive governance. Her example should serve as an inspiration to all public officials who still believe that real leadership is about service, not slogans.
The Government failed to release even basic dues ahead of a major festival, highlighting a disconnect with ground realities that the Waqf Board Chairperson refused to mirror. These actions have done more than just address immediate concerns—they have redefined the role of the Waqf Board in contemporary governance. Traditionally viewed as a body managing religious endowments, the Board under Dr. Andrabi’s stewardship has become a model of compassion-driven governance. Her approach to leadership—grounded in accessibility, timely intervention, and social responsibility—is now setting a precedent not just within the religious administrative framework, but across the wider governance ecosystem of Jammu and Kashmir. More importantly, these steps have revitalised the image of the Waqf Board among the public. In a time when elected representatives often shy away from difficult decisions, Dr. Andrabi’s hands-on and courageous leadership has drawn praise from thinkers, civil society members, and the masses alike. Her decisions carry both administrative weight and emotional resonance, making the Board more relevant and respected than ever before. As fact speak themselves the resurgence in the popularity of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board is not a matter of optics—it is rooted in action. Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi’s commitment to meaningful change, justice for victims, and welfare for employees has turned the Board into a beacon of responsive governance. Her example should serve as an inspiration to all public officials who still believe that real leadership is about service, not slogans.
