Srinagar: The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference and Kashmir’s Chief Cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Sunday expressed concern that the proposed Waqf Bill disregards the sentiments of the Muslim community and threatens the autonomy of religious institutions.
“The concerns of Muslims were overlooked in the Waqf Bill”, Mirwaiz told mediapersons in Budgam on the sidelines of an interfaith dialogue.
He emphasised that no meaningful consultation was conducted with key stakeholders before presenting the bill in Parliament and that it was being implemented without due discussion.
He cautioned that this move would place mosques, Darazgahs, Imam Bara’a, and other Waqf properties under government control.
Mirwaiz strongly criticised the statements of the NC spokesperson advocating for the sale of liquor in Jammu and Kashmir for tourism and revenue purposes.
He asserted that J&K has always been a renowned tourist destination and does not require alcohol sales to boost tourism.
He described this approach of NC as highly irresponsible.
Referring to states in India where alcohol is prohibited, Mirwaiz urged the government to adopt similar models instead of encouraging liquor consumption, which has already caused significant social harm.
He pointed out that the unrestricted availability of alcohol has contributed to rising substance abuse, particularly among the youth.
“If the NC Govt can’t provide any benefit to the society they should at least not inflict damage it’s socio-religious character”, Mirwaiz stressed.
On the issue of Kashmiri Pandits, Mirwaiz stressed that their return should be guided by inclusivity and mutual understanding.
He emphasised the need for intra-community dialogues involving scholars, civil society, and political leaders to facilitate their safe and dignified return.
Rejecting the proposal for separate settlements for Kashmiri Pandits in South Kashmir, Mirwaiz maintained that Kashmir has historically been a space of coexistence for people of different faiths.
He added that many Kashmiri Pandits themselves prefer to return in a manner that preserves the region’s traditional harmony.
Mirwaiz also raised concerns over government actions against employees, highlighting that many were being dismissed arbitrarily without proper investigation or legal processes.
He condemned such measures as unjust and detrimental to affected families.
Mirwaiz also criticised restrictions on Islamic literature, questioning the government’s authority in determining what people can read.
Underscoring the need for dialogue and engagement to address J&K’s challenges, Mirwaiz urged the government to take tangible steps, particularly regarding political prisoners who have been incarcerated for years without fair trials.
He called for their immediate release, emphasising that their prolonged detention remains a serious humanitarian and legal issue. UNI
