Says Law Infringes on Muslim Religious, Property Rights
Srinagar, Apr 9: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Wednesday said it will approach the Supreme Court over the recently passed Waqf Amendment Bill, calling the legislation a direct infringement on the religious and property rights of Muslims.
“On the direction of our President Dr Farooq Abdullah, the National Conference will file a writ petition in the Supreme Court,” NC MLA and Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq told reporters.
“This legal battle will now be fought at the highest level, because this act poses a constitutionally alarming interference in the religious affairs of the Muslim community,” Tanvir said.
He said the bill violates fundamental constitutional protections guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, and 300A. “This isn’t just about Jammu and Kashmir. This is an attack on the religious identity and rights of Muslims across the country,” Sadiq added.
The move by NC comes amid a highly charged atmosphere in the political circle, with three consecutive days of Assembly disruptions centered around the Waqf Amendment Bill.
While the BJP remains in favor of the bill, NC, along with opposition parties including PDP, Peoples Conference (PC), and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), have been demanding a detailed discussion on the bill inside the House. The Speaker’s repeated refusal to allow debate further fueled the tensions.
However, opposition parties including Mehbooba-led PDP and Sajad Lone-led PC accused the NC of creating unnecessary ruckus inside the Assembly and termed the uproar as “drama.”
On Wednesday, BJP legislators stormed into the well of the House, raising slogans and disrupting proceedings. The session had to be adjourned since sine die, marking the third straight day of chaos.
PDP and JKPC have alleged that the unrest inside the House was orchestrated to divert public attention from key legislation. “This is being done deliberately. The LG has already cleared three major bills related to Jammu and Kashmir, and this staged uproar is meant to distract people,” PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said.
Meanwhile, a political controversy erupted after a photo of NC leaders Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju at the Tulip Garden surfaced. Opposition figures, including Mehbooba, accused the Abdullahs of sending a confusing message by associating with central leadership.
“This photo-op at Asia’s largest tulip garden was nothing but a symbolic celebration of Muslim marginalization,” Mehbooba remarked earlier today.
Omar Abdullah defended himself, stating, “It was a chance meeting. I had taken my father to the garden. Minister Rijiju asked for a photo — what was I supposed to do, refuse?”
He also hit back at PDP, accusing them of hypocrisy. “Those who watched Jammu and Kashmir burn while sitting in BJP’s lap are now questioning a picture,” Omar said. (JKNS)
