Jammu — Several Muslim organisations in Jammu’s Rajouri district on Monday (March 24, 2025) criticised Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi for supporting the Waqf Amendment Bill. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah too questioned the Bill and its “hidden motives”.
Five religious bodies, which included the Islamic Welfare Organisation, Tehreek Ulema Ahle Sunnat, Milaad Committee, Tehreek Gulamae Mustafa and Tehreek Ghulaman-ae-Gous, accused Ms. Andrabi of “openly supporting the Waqf Amendment Bill”.
In a joint statement, these Muslim organisations said Ms. Andrabi’s statement, made in the presence of prominent citizens of Rajouri recently, “has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community and religious organisations across the region”.
“We reject her position unequivocally, as it threatens the sanctity and autonomy of waqf properties that hold immense religious, cultural, and social significance for the Muslim community. We strongly oppose the amendments proposed in the Waqf Bill,” Shafqat Mir, president of the Islamic Welfare Organisation, said.
Mr. Mir said these changes undermine religious and shared heritage. “Ms. Andrabi’s remarks are an affront to the sentiments of millions who hold these institutions dear. We demand an immediate retraction of Ms. Andrabi’s statement and urge the authorities to reconsider any proposed amendments to the Waqf Act,” Mr. Mir added.
Mr. Abdullah questioned the move of the Centre to introduce the Bill. “There is no religion that does not do charitable activities. The charitable activities of the Muslim community happen through waqf. It’s the only community being targeted. It is obvious there would be tensions surrounding it,” Mr. Abdullah said.
